Every third day, in our #EveryThreeDays campaign, I write about a woman killed by a man. Previously this month, we have remembered Miriam Nyazema, Denisa Silmen, Jan Bennett, Simonne Kerr, Laura Holden Jane Wiggett and on the 19th of August, Katelyn Parker, who was just 24 years old.
Today we remember Elife Beqa,34, who lived in Southall and was married to Agim Isaku,40, for thirteen years before her marriage started to break down. Agim Isaki accused Elife, who liked to be known as Eli, of being attracted to another man, and during an argument, in August 2015 he beat, bit and strangled her. Realising what he had done, he dialled 999, saying ‘I think my wife is dead so’.
Emergency services arrived, Isaku was arrested, and Elife was taken to hospital, but she died the next day. At the time of the attack, their two children were asleep in their bedroom. I can’t imagine the shock they experienced being woken up and told by a stranger that their dad had been arrested and their mother was dying.
Isaki was charged with murder but was resolute that Elife death was an accident and was in self-defence. He was, however, found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for ten and a half years.
After his trial Detective Inspector Louise Knipe of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: ‘This was a terrible crime that has taken the life of a young woman and robbed two young children of their mother.’
‘Despite Eli’s efforts to make her husband happy, Isaku’s unfounded jealously drove him to carry out a savage assault.’
Eli was clearly much liked to with one neighbour saying “She was very friendly and talkative.” Everyone in the building knew her and a lot of people around here are really shocked.”
I am sure they were – but not so shocked as Eli kids who effectively lost both parents in a matter of hours.
What also concerns me about this case was how difficult it was to research. I found no immediate coverage by the principal newspapers or indeed by the BBC. I am just wondering if racism played a part in the lack of reporting?
Elife Beqa
#EveryThreeDays
Authored by Steph @PlaceSteph
