Cause of Death Revealed for Software Engineer’s Wife Found with Chemical Burns to Her Face in ‘House of Horrors’

Months after a Long Island woman was found dead with chemical burns on her face, prosecutors say an autopsy has clarified how she allegedly was killed inside her home.

Aleena Asif, 46, was discovered in her residence on Oct. 17 after her teenage daughter became concerned when Asif didn’t pick up her youngest child from school. The daughter contacted police, who responded to the home and found Asif “lying face up on her bed with red facial burns around her mouth,” according to a statement from the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Authorities arrested Asif’s estranged husband, Asif Qureshi, 53, in connection with her death.

Prosecutors said Asif died from “asphyxiation due to the inhalation of a chemical agent,” and the Nassau County Medical Examiner later identified the substance as cyanide, the district attorney’s office stated.

Investigators allege Qureshi entered the home while Asif was out dropping off their two younger children—ages 14 and 7—at school, and then remained inside, “hiding in the shadows,” prosecutors said. Their 18-year-old had already left earlier in the morning for college classes.

Once Asif returned and was alone, prosecutors allege Qureshi “held cyanide over her mouth,” killing her before leaving her body for their children to find, according to the district attorney’s statement.

“A home should be a place of sanctuary, but this defendant turned it into a house of horrors,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said in the statement.

Authorities said surveillance footage helped identify a hooded figure unlocking the front door and entering the home. Investigators then allegedly matched the clothing and accessories seen on camera to Qureshi, who was later observed at a convenience store near his residence, prosecutors said.

Qureshi has been charged with second-degree murder and two counts of first-degree burglary, according to the district attorney’s office. If convicted, he could face 25 years to life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to return to court in February, the statement said.