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28 March 2024

Dubai villa community in shock over murder-suicide

(Images by Sneha May Francis)

Published
By Sneha May Francis

Two days after a man was found drowned in the community pool, and his daughters found dead in their home, residents in the Al Waha gated community of Dubai are still shocked, shattered, confused and deeply upset.

Many residents are unable to accept the fact that the unfortunate event unfolded in their community.



A walk through the quiet neighbourhood, located behind Global Village, echoed those sentiments.

“I did not know them but I read about it in the newspapers. It is just shocking how things like this happen. You meet people every day but you never know what’s going on in their lives,” said a neighbour upset over the death of the two little girls.

The Pakistani family had moved into their villa only a month ago, so not many in the gated community knew them. But many had seen them around.

“I’ve seen them around but I do not know them,” recalls a resident who lives across the street.

“It is really sad. I’ve seen the girls many times. They looked happy.”



Another resident added: “They appeared like a normal family. I’ve seen the girls playing on the streets, and even seen their dad. I couldn’t tell if something was wrong.”

A teller at the West Zone supermarket, which the family had frequented, recalled how they were a normal family. “He used to come here with his daughters and buy things,” the man recalled.

“I used to see him at the swimming pool with his kids,” added another resident.

On the morning of December 2, the Pakistani man’s body was discovered in the community swimming pool, while his daughters, aged 3 and 8, were found dead in their villa.

The mother was away attending a Bollywood concert when the unfortunate event had supposedly unfolded.

When Emirates 24|7 visited the home, it was empty and locked this morning. A 4WD was parked in the front.

According to a report published in Arabic newspaper Emarat Alyoum, the Dubai Police have confirmed that the father had explained his decision to kill his kids and himself in an e-mail, which they have recovered.

The mother, who had reportedly discovered the bodies and had informed the police, has been taken ill and admitted to Rashid hospital.

The murder-suicide is said to have occurred early on December 2.

“I was shocked to see police cars and ambulances at 5.30am [on December 2]. I knew something was wrong. It was only later that I heard about the terrible news,” said a Filipina who works at a neighbouring villa.

Another resident explained. “A friend of mine lives near the pool, and her balcony overlooks the pool. She said she saw some people fishing out a body around 5.30am,” he added.

Many residents, however, were tight-lipped about the incident.

“I do not know what happened and I did not know them,” said a lady.

The community swimming pool has since been closed.

A notice - 'Swimming pool is out of order. Closed for maintenance' - was posted outside the entrance.

The lifeguard refused to comment and said he wasn't aware when the pool would open again.

He, however, informed that the swimming pool is usually functional between 8am-8pm.

The workers at the West Zone supermarket sad they were shocked to learn that a body was found in the pool.

“We were not allowed to open our shop. The police asked us to wait. We usually open by 7am, but that day we had to wait till around 8am,” a teller said.

The West Zone salesperson also added that the family had a maid. “The police are coming here every day. They are investigating.”

Until now, the details pertaining to the case are still sketchy.