In 2026, the Offender Database recorded that Abdul Sami, 23, was found guilty of the brutal murder of his stepmother, Rizwana Kousar. Following a trial at Bradford Crown Court on 17 March 2026, the jury delivered a unanimous verdict in just under three-and-a-half hours. It was reported that Sami, of Kensington Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, strangled the 41-year-old with her own headscarf before attempting to stage the scene as an accidental drowning.
The investigation established the cold and mercenary nature of Sami’s conduct. West Yorkshire Police reported that the attack occurred on 15 August 2023 at the family home on Mannheim Road. The prosecution reported that after the assault, Sami called for an ambulance, claiming he had found his stepmother submerged in a bath. However, paramedics noticed a distinctive red mark across the victim’s neck, and medical experts later determined she had suffered a catastrophic brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that the murder was motivated by greed and an interest in financial gain. Bradford Crown Court heard that a forensic examination of Sami’s mobile phone uncovered a chilling search history. The investigation established that Sami had visited inheritance websites and had specifically searched the question: “Does a killer inherit from their victim’s estate?”
Kama Melly KC, prosecuting, detailed how Sami attempted to deceive emergency operators by following CPR instructions for a situation he had staged himself. For his actions in Bradford, Sami was convicted of murder. The judge noted that Rizwana Kousar never regained consciousness and died in the hospital two days after the attack, leaving behind a family who described her as a selfless and cherished daughter and sister.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Abdul Sami is as follows:
- Verdict: Guilty of Murder (17 March 2026).
- Sentencing: Scheduled for Friday, 20 March 2026.
- Judicial Oversight: Convicted at Bradford Crown Court following a West Yorkshire Police investigation.
- Criminal Record: Murder.
- Origin: Kensington Road (formerly of Mannheim Road), Bradford, West Yorkshire.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Sami will be managed as a high-risk prisoner within the Category A estate due to the premeditated and violent nature of the killing. Authorities state that the “for-profit” element of the murder—evidenced by his digital searches regarding inheritance—will be a significant factor in determining his minimum term. Upon his eventual sentencing, he will be subject to a life licence, ensuring that if he is ever released, he will be monitored by the National Probation Service for the remainder of his life.
As a convicted murderer, Sami’s details remain a permanent part of the national record. Authorities state that his history of calculated aggression against a family member in West Yorkshire necessitates the highest level of scrutiny. Any future psychiatric evaluations will focus on the lack of empathy displayed by strangling a relative for financial gain and the deceptive measures taken to mislead paramedics and police at the scene.
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