Marriage fears led to Muslim girl's death

SEDGWICK, England, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Police in England are searching for the killer of a Muslim girl whose body was found five months after she abandoned a prearranged marriage.

The body of Shafilea Ahmed, 17, was severely decayed when it was found in December 2004, The Independent reported Saturday.

"She was murdered. I'm convinced of that because of the way in which the body was disposed, it had been hidden and she had been taken many miles away from home," coroner Ian Smith said.

Ahmed reportedly told friends before her disappearance that she intensely disliked the idea of committing to a marriage arranged by her parents.

Police arrested Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed in connection with the discovery of their daughter's body, but did not charge the couple.

"She wanted to be part of the school and be Westernized but also she loved her family very much, and her religion, and found it hard to marry the two," Shafilea's tutor told authorities.

Shafilea's mother reportedly said she is unhappy about her daughter's death and feels guilty for what happened.