Details of incident in months prior to rural murder-suicide revealed

Perth Now

2 days ago

The murder-suicide that has gripped Bordertown
A woman murdered by her husband was strangled by him in an incident months before the fatal incident.
Shafeeqa Husseini, 41, was murdered by her husband Mirza Husseini, 47, before he died by suicide at their home on Melvyn St in Bordertown in South Australia on Sunday about 11pm.
Relatives had requested a welfare check be carried out.
The couple had six children, who are now orphaned.
Shafeeqa reported the incident to South Australian Police earlier this year, court documents obtained by 7NEWS Adelaide reveal.
Mirza accused her of having an affair with another man before attacking her in their home, she said at the time.
'Mirza grabbed hold of my neck with one of his hands and squeezed my throat tight for approximately three minutes to the point I couldn't breathe,' she said in the report.
The assault moved from the kitchen to the couple's bedroom, and one of their young children attempted to intervene.
'He was screaming for Mirza to stop,' she said.
'I got up and told Mirza that I didn't want to live this way and that I wanted a divorce.
'I then left and went to my neighbour's house.'
The neighbour then drove Shafeeqa to the Elizabeth Police Station, where she made the statement.
Mirza was charged over the assault. Shafeeqa Husseini, 41, and Mirza Husseini, 47. Credit: Supplied
Her death has shocked the rural Bordertown community.
Police Minister Stephen Mullighan said this would have a profound impact on her children.
'It is really distressing to think of the impact that this has, particularly on the children,' he said.
He promised the incident would be investigated through a coronial inquest,
'It's a tragic circumstance for the family and the community and all the emergency responders who were attending,' Acting Assistant Commissioner Cath Hilliard said earlier this week.
'Domestic abuse is no longer acceptable by the community or the police.'
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency, call 000.
Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men's Referral Service, 1300 766 491.