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Marriage fear teenager 'murdered' Marriage fear teenager 'murdered'
(20 minutes later)
A coroner in the inquest of 17-year-old Shafilea Ahmed has ruled she was unlawfully killed. A coroner in the inquest of 17-year-old Shafilea Ahmed said he believed she was the victim of a "vile murder".
The decomposed body of the Muslim teenager, from Warrington, was found on a Cumbrian riverbank in 2004 after she went missing in September 2003.The decomposed body of the Muslim teenager, from Warrington, was found on a Cumbrian riverbank in 2004 after she went missing in September 2003.
At an inquest in Kendal, south Cumbrian coroner Ian Smith said he believed she was murdered. At an inquest in Kendal, south Cumbrian coroner Ian Smith ruled Shafilea had been unlawfully killed.
He said she was genuinely afraid, rightly or wrongly, that her parents were planning to arrange her marriage.He said she was genuinely afraid, rightly or wrongly, that her parents were planning to arrange her marriage.
Delivering the verdict, Mr Smith said he was convinced Shafilea was murdered because of the way in which the body was disposed.Delivering the verdict, Mr Smith said he was convinced Shafilea was murdered because of the way in which the body was disposed.
He said: "... it had been hidden and she had been taken many miles away from home."He said: "... it had been hidden and she had been taken many miles away from home."
Ifitikhar Ahmed denied having anything to do with Shafilea's death Mr Smith believed the concept of an arranged marriage was "central" to the circumstances leading up to her death.
Earlier in the week long hearing, community and homelessness workers said the teenager had approached them for help to find accommodation or a place in a refuge in order to escape from her parents whom she had claimed were forcing her into an arranged marriage. class="" href="/1/hi/england/merseyside/7182781.stm">Hidden angst of Shafliea
Earlier in the week-long hearing, community and homelessness workers said the teenager had approached them for help to find accommodation or a place in a refuge in order to escape from her parents.
She had claimed they were forcing her into an arranged marriage, the inquest heard.
She also confided to her friends that her parents beat her and stole £2,000 from her bank account.She also confided to her friends that her parents beat her and stole £2,000 from her bank account.
The inquest heard how the teenager had run away from home on a few occasions and that one time her father had turned up at her school and taken her home, forcing a teacher to call the police. The inquest heard how the teenager had run away from home on a few occasions and that on one occasion her father had turned up at her school and taken her home, forcing a teacher to call the police.
Shafilea went missing on 11 September 2003 shortly after returning from a trip to Pakistan, where she is believed to have drunk bleach after meeting a possible suitor.Shafilea went missing on 11 September 2003 shortly after returning from a trip to Pakistan, where she is believed to have drunk bleach after meeting a possible suitor.
'Active case''Active case'
But it was a teacher at Great Sankey High School, which she attended, who reported her missing. But it was a teacher at Great Sankey High School, which she attended, who reported her missing seven days later.
Summing up, the coroner said Shafilea died within a few hours of leaving work on the day she was last seen alive.
He added he was "very confident" she was already dead before her body was dumped on the riverbank.
"I do not believe she escaped and ran away. She was taken," Mr Smith revealed.
Her body was found in February 2004, but police had to use dental records and jewellery to help identify her.Her body was found in February 2004, but police had to use dental records and jewellery to help identify her.
A medical expert told the inquest the schoolgirl had either been smothered or strangled.A medical expert told the inquest the schoolgirl had either been smothered or strangled.
Cheshire Police launched a murder investigation after the teenager's body was found and have always maintained it was still as "active case".Cheshire Police launched a murder investigation after the teenager's body was found and have always maintained it was still as "active case".
Shafilea's parents, Iftikhar and Farzana, were arrested on suspicion of kidnap and five relatives from Bradford were also arrested. All of them were later released after being on bail for 18 months.Shafilea's parents, Iftikhar and Farzana, were arrested on suspicion of kidnap and five relatives from Bradford were also arrested. All of them were later released after being on bail for 18 months.