Naheed Khan: Murder investigation launched

Naheed Khan was reported missing in June 2018 by her daughter who had not seen or heard from her in three weeks.

The family made several emotional pleas for the 45-year-old to come home as she had yet to meet her first granddaughter who was born last May.

Police searching land off the A174 for missing Naheed Khan

This morning Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Green, the head of crime and justice at Cleveland Police, said the force has launched the investigation after new information came to light.

Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Green

He said: “She not been in touch with family or friends despite the birth of her first grandchild. She has not accessed her bank accounts, used her mobile phone, nor does she have a passport.

“Whilst there is no tangible evidence that a crime has been committed, there is no evidence of her being alive, so in my professional judgement I believe that Nadeed has come to some serious harm. I have therefore classified this case as one of suspected murder.

“Today, officers will be returning to Naheed’s house on Valiant Way, Thornaby. Also officers have initiated searches of two areas ­– a piece of land adjacent to the A174, the searches will be taking place in the coming hours and members of the public may see activity in the area of the A174 today."

Gazala Khan, Naheed’s mother, above, made an emotional plea for information so the family can have some 'closure'.

She added: “It’s totally out of character for my daughter not to return home no matter what the situation. She comes from a very supportive family where the door is always open.

“Naheed is a loved mother, daughter, sister, aunty and would have been a loving grandmother. She was a very intelligent young girl with the potential for a very bright future.

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“She excelled in swimming and loved to draw and sing. She has got wonderful big brown eyes and amazing hair with a beaming smile. Naheed is loved beyond measure by us all, she is generous and kind, she would give you her last penny even if that left her without a penny.

“She is quietly spoken with a shy demeanour and people often think that she is much younger than she is as she possesses a girl like vulnerability.

“We are appealing for any information to enable our family to gain any closure on this matter. Somebody somewhere must have some information which can pinpoint Naheed’s last movements, so we as a family can stop speculation over what we can only imagine is a tragic outcome.

“Naheed was a very important person to us, we feel she must be suffering terribly to not come home and our family has been left with a wound that won’t heal.

“If anyone has any information, no matter how small, please get in touch.”

A police unit outside Naheed's house on Valiant Way, Thornaby

Amber Khan, Naheed’s daughter, said: “My mother is my best friend and there is not a day that goes by when I don’t think of her and imagine talking to her ands telling her how much I love her.

“I gave birth to my daughter eight months ago and it still does not feel real that my mother is not here and has not met her.

“My mother is funny, kind and beautiful. In the weekends leading up to her disappearance, we would watch Netflix together, laugh our heads off and get takeaways – we did everything together. She was there throughout all of my pregnancy until she went missing.

“She loved me very much and she would have been besotted by her granddaughter. The most supportive person in my life has gone. I love and miss my mother more than words could ever describe.

“I hope people with information find it in their hearts to come forward and give assistance to the police.”

• Anyone with information as to Naheed’s whereabouts or anyone who may have seen Naheed since late May onwards, is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101