HERRICKS, NY – A Long Island man who allegedly threatened to make his estranged wife drink bleach has been charged with murdering her using a cyanide-like powder, authorities announced Friday.
Asif Qureshi, 53, was charged with second-degree murder one week after his 46-year-old wife, Aleena Asif, was found dead in her Herricks home on Larch Drive, according to the Nassau County Police Department.
Police discovered Aleena unconscious with facial burns during a wellness check at approximately 3:50 p.m. on Oct. 17. Her 18-year-old daughter had called 911 after becoming concerned when her mother failed to pick up her 7-year-old sister from school.
Authorities believe the woman had choked on a cyanide-like compound and had been deceased for some time before police arrived at the residence. The mother of three was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Nassau County Medical Examiner determined Aleena died of asphyxiation by an unknown chemical substance. The incident was ruled a homicide, triggering an intensive investigation by county detectives.
Investigators uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse in the relationship. Authorities said Qureshi allegedly physically and verbally abused the victim, including threatening that he would force her to drink bleach.
Police records show five domestic violence incidents occurred at the home in 2023, with four of them involving Aleena as the victim. The history of reported abuse painted a picture of an increasingly dangerous situation for the woman and her children.
Following the alleged murder, authorities said Qureshi fled the Herricks home on a scooter. He evaded capture for a week before being arrested Thursday at a location in Queens, where he had been renting a room.
The Pakistani native was arraigned Friday on murder charges. He has denied all charges against him through his legal counsel.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic violence and the importance of intervention before situations escalate to fatal outcomes. Domestic violence advocates note that threats involving specific methods of harm, such as Qureshi’s alleged bleach threats, often indicate serious danger.
Aleena leaves behind three children, including the teenager who made the desperate 911 call and a 7-year-old daughter who narrowly avoided witnessing the discovery of her mother’s body.
Nassau County prosecutors are expected to present evidence to a grand jury in the coming weeks. If convicted, Qureshi faces 25 years to life in prison.
The investigation remains ongoing, with detectives working to determine how Qureshi allegedly obtained the cyanide-like substance and whether the murder was premeditated.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 for confidential support.
