Police are urgently searching for the father of 10-year-old Sara Sharif (as well as his partner and brother) who was found dead in her home in Woking on August 10 after having sustained multiple injuries.
Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, 41, his partner Beinash Batool, 29, and Urfan’s brother, Faisal Malik, 28, are all believed to be in Pakistan.
Police were called to an address in Woking at around 2.50am on Thursday August 10 following a 999 call, which was made by a man identifying himself as Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, from Pakistan.
On arrival, Sara was found dead inside the property. It is believed that she lived at this address.
Sara’s mother was informed and continues to be supported by specially trained officers.
An investigation, led by Surrey Police and Sussex Police’s Major Crime Team, was launched to establish the circumstances of Sara’s death and this remains ongoing.
It is believed that Urfan Sharif travelled to Islamabad, Pakistan, in company with his partner and his brother on August 10. There were five children with them aged between a year and 13 years old.
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Police enquiries remain ongoing to locate them and they are continuing to work with international agencies, including Interpol, the National Crime Agency and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, to progress their enquiries with the Pakistani authorities.
The post-mortem examination, which took place on August 15, did not establish the cause of Sara’s death and further tests are being carried out.
The post-mortem did, however, reveal that Sara had suffered multiple and extensive injuries, which are likely to have been caused over a sustained and extended period of time.
Detective Superintendent Mark Chapman, from the Surrey Police and Sussex Police Major Crime Team, said: “Firstly, on behalf of Surrey Police, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences following Sara’s tragic death. Our thoughts are with her mother at this difficult time. We also fully appreciate the impact this devastating incident will have had within the local community.
“While the post-mortem has not provided us with an established cause of death at this time, the fact that we now know that Sara had suffered multiple and extensive injuries over a sustained and extended period has significantly changed the nature of our investigation, and we have widened the timescale of the focus of our enquiry.
“As a result, we are trying to piece together a picture of Sara’s lifestyle but we cannot do this without the public’s help. That is why we are appealing for anyone who knew Sara, had any form of contact with her, or has any other information about her, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to come forward as soon as possible.”
Det Supt Chapman added: “In the meantime, I would like to reassure you that we are doing everything possible, including working with our partners and international agencies, to ensure that those responsible for Sara’s tragic and untimely death are brought to justice.”
If you have any information which could assist the investigation, please contact Surrey Police via its information portal https://mipp.police.uk/operation/4523K72-PO2
Alternatively, you can report information quoting Operation Unison via the online reporting tool https://www.surrey.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/
If you do not wish to speak to police you can call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
