WEBDESK: A laboratory report has found no traces of sedatives or toxic substances in the body of actor Humaira Asghar, raising the likelihood that her death will be declared natural.
The 42 year old actor was found dead in a flat in Karachi on 8th July. Her body was in an advanced stage of decomposition.
Police investigators received a toxicology report this week from the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences at Karachi University. The tests were done using samples from Humaira’s hair, lungs, and liver. These were collected at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) on the day her body was discovered.
Experts used a method called gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to examine the samples. According to the report, no sedatives, narcotics, psychiatric drugs, or poisons were found in Humaira Asghar’s body.
DIG South Karachi, Syed Asad Raza, confirmed that the findings had been shared with the police. He said doctors would likely conclude that the death was due to natural causes.
The police have also received Humaira’s medical history from a private hospital in Clifton.
In addition, the Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory has given a separate report. It found a small amount of human blood on Humaira’s clothes. According to DIG Raza, the blood may have come from insect bites. This will be reviewed further by medico-legal officers (MLOs).
The police will hand all findings over to the doctors, who are expected to give their final opinion on the cause of death by Monday.
Humaira Asghar was buried last week in Lahore’s Model Town Q Block graveyard. Only a few people attended the funeral.
A special police team had been formed earlier this month to investigate the case. They were ordered to find out whether the death was natural, accidental, suicide, or murder.
An earlier autopsy report by police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed said the body was badly decomposed. The report estimated the death had taken place around eight months ago. However, the cause of death could not be determined at that time.
Humaira Asghar was known for her work in theatre, film, and television. She was also a visual artist and held a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Punjab University. During her studies, she performed with student theatre groups and worked on socially relevant plays. She also acted in several PTV dramas and worked with respected artists like Amjad Islam Amjad and Qavi Khan.
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