UK UK - Suspected Arson, Dr Sabah Usmani and her five children, Harlow, Essex, 15 October 2012

[Tortoise]

Police investigating a suspected arson attack that killed a woman and her five children have made a direct appeal to an anonymous letter-writer who they believe could hold "key information".

Dr Sabah Usmani and her children – Hira, 12; Sohaib, 11; Muneeb, nine; Rayyan, six; and Maheen, three – died in the fire at their home in Harlow in October 2012.

Det Ch Insp Louise Metcalfe, leading the Essex Police investigation, said the author of the anonymous handwritten letter to officers "seemed reticent of coming forward but couldn't bear the nightmare of knowing what they knew".

She added: "What I'm appealing for now is for that person to have confidence to come and talk to me – and we are waiting."

[...]

"To that person, I would say you can come forward and you will be treated fairly. What you know could be vital in helping us identify those responsible."

Dr Abdul Shakoor jumped out of an upstairs window to raise the alarm

The BBC understands the letter was sent shortly after the release of a BBC podcast examining the case.

The series, Crime Next Door: Who Killed the Shakoors?, released last May, revisited the investigation and explored unanswered questions surrounding the fire.

Essex Police appeals to letter-writer in Harlow arson murder case

Police are keen to speak to the writer of an anonymous letter relating to the arson attack.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[AcerPacer]

How horrific!
And this is 14 years later that a person is still carrying guilt for knowing "something"
I imagine that the letter writer is female.
If the letter was sent last July, why have Essex police only just mentioned it today? Any ideas?

 

[Tortoise]

I can't work out why the person sent the letter. Maybe they want the police to work it out without the person having to tell them who it was.

I think a parent might feel conflicted like that, or someone worried about backlash from their family or community.

 

[AcerPacer]

The family originated from Pakistan and these communities often have historical and cultural factors that inhibit them from disclosing a lot of information to people seen as being in authority.
If the person who penned this letter is also of Pakistani origin, their reluctance to "inform" on another makes a lot of sense.
Retribution would be at the forefront of their mind and so I hope this person can find the confidence to speak to Essex police again, with their latest offer of support and confidentiality.

IMO and JMO

 

[Deadbeat]

The original Crimewatch reconstruction is featured on the below episode (first reconstruction on the episode):