Shafilea Ahmed murder on Killer Britain with Dermot Murnaghan

Shafilea Ahmed was murdered in the lounge of her family home on Liverpool Road, Great Sankey, Warrington, on September 11, 2003, because she was determined to lead a Western lifestyle.

Her body was then driven to the Lake District and dumped in a gorge next to the River Kent, Sedgwick.

From left, Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed murdered their daughter Shafilea in front of her siblings at the family home

Her parents, Iftikhar Ahmed and Farzana Ahmed, were convicted of killing the 17-year-old following a trial in 2012. They were each jailed for a minimum of 25 years.

Both Shafilea’s parents denied killing the teenager. They claimed she ran away from home on the night she was murdered.

The Ahmeds suffocated Shafilea to death by forcing a plastic bag down her throat, and she was later reported missing by her friends.

Five months later, in February 2004, her body washed up in the River Kent in Cumbria after severe flooding.

Shafilea had lived with her parents in Girlington before the family moved to Warrington when she was young.

Shafilea Ahmed

The 2012 trial’s proceedings took a dramatic twist when Mrs Ahmed changed her statement, blaming her husband for their daughter’s murder.

Now true crime documentary series Killer Britain with Dermot Murnaghan will revisit the case – from when she was reported missing from her home to when her parents were convicted of her murder.

Shafilea’s killing set to be featured in an episode scheduled to be broadcast at 9pm on Monday, April 11.

A spokesman said: "Dermot Murnaghan returns this February to Crime+Investigation for his most explosive season yet of Killer Britain with Dermot Murnaghan.

"Hosted and curated by one of the UK’s best-known journalists, Killer Britain explores British murder stories filled with detective intrigue and chilling storylines.

"The ninth episode revisits the sadistic killing of 17-year-old Shafilea Ahmed, who went missing in 2003 from her home in Warrington.

"Her body was found six months later by workmen in the River Kent.

"Shafilea was often abused at home after resisting her parents desire for an arranged marriage and controlling behaviours.

"Fearing she may bring shame to the family, a testimony from her sister years after her body was found revealed Shafilea’s parents had forced a plastic bag down her throat and suffocated her to end her defiance.

"The episode takes viewers along the gruelling case that took years to unravel and finally bring her parents, Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed, to justice for her murder."

Where to watch the Shafilea Ahmed TV documentary

Killer Britain With Dermot Murnaghan is on the Crime+Investigation channel at 9pm on Monday, April 11.

Watch on Sky channel 156 (or +1 on 256), Virgin Media channel 209 (or +1 on 222), or TalkTalk channel 328.

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