Police ID wife killed by husband in gruesome decapitation
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia police have identified the woman who was brutally murdered and decapitated inside her Lawndale home Wednesday afternoon. Police say a knife was recovered at the scene not long after that alleged suspect was taken into custody.
The 41-year-old woman and the suspect were married and police are calling this a domestic homicide. Again, we want to warn you, the details are disturbing.
Ahmad Shareef, 34, is charged with murder and is accused of brutally killing his wife Leila Al Raheel, 41, inside their home on Magee Avenue in the city's Lawndale neighborhood.
Police say she was found decapitated Tuesday afternoon on the kitchen floor. A gruesome crime that has left neighbors horrified.
"Pretty much a lot of disbelief that it can happen in our neighborhood because we have a nice neighborhood," neighbor Joe Eichler said.
Shareef is now locked up behind bars after police say they tracked him down about six blocks from the home, hiding in the bushes, and a knife was recovered from the scene.
Neighbors tell CBS3 several adults and children live in this home and police are calling this a case of domestic violence.
"It makes me speechless, just so horrific," Joanna Otero-Cruz, executive director of Women Against Abuse said. "I think that cases such as this give people pause and self-reflect...am I in that situation?"
Otero-Cruz says domestic violence spikes around the holidays and wants people to know there are resources to help you in a dangerous situation.
"One in four women experience domestic violence, one in 10 men, so the reality is that people are experiencing domestic violence every day," Otero-Cruz said.
In this case, police have not released a motive but neighbors say they believe there were mental health issues and say there have been ongoing problems at this home and a history of domestic issues.
Neighbor Joe Eichler says police started circulating flyers Wednesday after the grisly crime.
"He was dropping off a flyer saying that anyone who is concerned and having problems with their neighbors should be calling police," Eichler said.
The District Attorney's Office says Shareef is being held on no bail.
Police encourage people experiencing intimate partner abuse and violence to call or message the following organizations to get help:
- National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1-888-799-SAFE (7233)
- Women Against Abuse: 1-866-723-3014