Fresh search for murdered woman's remains near layby

A search for the remains of a mother-of-three who was murdered by her husband in a planned "honour killing" more than a decade ago has resumed following new information.

Rania Alayad, from Manchester, was killed in June 2013 in a Salford flat by her husband Ahmed Al Khatib, though her body was never found.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police have returned to a layby in North Yorkshire which has previously been searched.

The force said the search had resumed "after new information came to light".

Al Khatib was jailed for life after the murder, alongside his brothers who were found guilty of helping to dispose of her body.

He claimed in his trial at Manchester Crown Court he had killed Ms Alayad in self-defence after an evil spirit had entered her, but denied murder.

At the time, police said Al Kahtib had been abusive and violent, and his "murderous actions were motivated by his outrage and jealousy that his wife would attempt to take control of her own life and live a more westernised life".

One of the brothers told police her body had been buried at the side of a layby on the A19 in North Yorkshire, although an initial search of the area in October last year proved fruitless.

The force remains "committed" to recovering her remains, a statement said.

It added officers would continue to do "all we can to find Rania" and "help bring some form of closure to her loved ones eleven years on".

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