Long Island Man Murders Estranged Wife with ‘Cyanide-Like’ Substance Just Days After Being Served Divorce Papers, Police Say
It’s the kind of story that leaves an entire community shaken — a family destroyed, three children left without their mother, and a crime that seems too cruel to comprehend. On October 17, 2025, police say a Long Island man murdered his estranged wife using a “cyanide-like” substance just days after being served divorce papers.
Authorities identified the suspect as 53-year-old Asif Qureshi, and the victim as his 46-year-old wife, Aleena Asif — a devoted mother of three and a respected accountant in the Herricks neighborhood of Nassau County. Investigators believe Qureshi planned the attack in advance, waiting for the moment Aleena would return home after dropping off one of their children at school that morning.
According to Nassau County police, Qureshi entered the home wearing gloves and a mask and used a chemical compound described as “cyanide-like.” The substance caused severe burns to Aleena’s face, and the fumes ultimately led to her death. When she failed to pick up her youngest child later that day, relatives called the police, leading to the grim discovery inside the couple’s home.
Detectives say Qureshi had been served with divorce papers less than ten days earlier, something that appeared to push him over the edge. The couple’s relationship had been deteriorating for months, and there had been previous reports of domestic disputes. Police confirmed that multiple prior calls had been made to their address regarding family issues.
After the attack, Qureshi fled the scene but was later arrested without incident. He was charged with second-degree murder, though prosecutors said they plan to pursue first-degree charges given the evidence of premeditation. Investigators are still analyzing the chemical substance used, which they described as “highly toxic and fast-acting.”
For Aleena’s family, the loss is unbearable. Friends say she was a kind, hardworking woman who loved her children deeply and was looking forward to a fresh start after leaving a troubled marriage. “She was always smiling, always positive,” one neighbor told reporters. “It’s horrifying to know this happened just a few doors down.”
Aleena’s three children — ages 18, 14, and 7 — are now living with relatives. Community members have started a fundraiser to support them as they face an uncertain future without their mother. Vigils were held outside the family’s home, with candles, flowers, and handwritten notes placed near the front steps where she was last seen alive.
Asif Qureshi remains in custody without bail. He appeared in court briefly, keeping his head down as prosecutors detailed the horrific events that led to his wife’s death. His attorney declined to comment, while the judge ordered him held pending further forensic testing.
The case has reignited conversations about domestic violence and the importance of taking early intervention seriously. Advocates stress that restraining orders and prior warnings often go unheeded until it’s too late. “This was preventable,” said one women’s shelter coordinator. “She asked for help, and somehow, it wasn’t enough.”
For many in the community, the tragedy feels deeply personal. Aleena’s death wasn’t just another headline — it was a reminder of how quickly love can turn to control, and how deadly that control can become.
In the end, Aleena’s story is one of strength and heartbreak. She tried to rebuild her life, to protect her children, and to walk away from a marriage that had become dangerous. But her attempt at freedom ended in tragedy. Now, her loved ones are left to grieve, to seek justice, and to remember the woman she was — not as a victim, but as a mother, a friend, and a light taken far too soon.
