“I am still measuring the scale of my loss”: sister of Farnaz Ali reveals grief in victim impact statement

Farnaz Ali murder trial at Norwich Crown Court. Sister of Farnaz Ali (centre).Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Danny Williams was jailed today after he was found guilty of killing Ms Ali on July 28 last year, bludgeoning her to death with a hammer.

The statement:

'I am Dr Mahnaz Ali, sister of Farnaz Ali.

Farnaz's murder has been a horrific experience for me and my family. The trauma of learning about how she suffered alone before she died will be with me always. Her death has aged my parents to the point where they now need to move to sheltered accommodation.

I have had to temporarily stop working as a GP and I am having to carry the burden for Farnaz's partner, Oliver, who has been unable to attend the trial.

No one expects to have to identify their sister's body. In fact, due to the effects of the injuries she sustained, I didn't initially recognise her and had to view her twice to be sure it was her.

I knew she had severe head injuries, but I could also see that she had been strangled. Due to the ongoing investigation I was not given all the details and spent over a year wondering exactly how she died.

It's only now – at the trial – that I have learned about the horrific number of injuries Farnaz received, her prolonged suffering, and the sexual and racial elements of her killing.

I had to travel to be with my elderly and frail parents when the police visited them at their home.

In order to protect my parents we did not, and have still not, revealed the full details of her death to them.

My parents are in their late 70s and mid 80s. They were immediately traumatised, and have not recovered.

My mother was unable to attend Farnaz's burial and has been in and out of hospital several times since. She is now very depressed and appears to have given up on life.

My parents were unable to attend the trial due to their health and I would not have wanted them to be exposed to all the details surrounding their daughter's death.

I do not think they will ever recover from the loss of their daughter.

I have suffered a significant amount of grief and stress and this has had an impact on every aspect of my life including my health and career, my family and social life.

I've had to take a career break as I felt unable to continue in my medical role whilst supporting and addressing my parents' physical, mental and social needs following the death of Farnaz.

The funeral was delayed until November 2017, and I had to organise it mostly alone. My parents and Oliver were paralysed with grief at the time.

The two postponements of the trial have been very stressful.

It's hard enough to prepare yourself for something like this, only to be told that it's been postponed.

I am still measuring the scale of my loss.

Farnaz was my only sibling and we have no other close relatives. She will not be with us for Christmases, birthdays and other special occasions.

I would like to thank the police and CPS for the effort that they have put into ensuring that justice has been done. This has given me comfort, knowing that Farnaz's life was seen to be important.

Farnaz, my sister, was a quiet, gentle, thoughtful person who suffered a prolonged attack and then died alone in the bathroom of a stranger's house and this knowledge will stay with me forever.'