HERRICKS, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — The death of a Long Island mother-of-three has been ruled a homicide caused by chemical asphyxiation from a cyanide-like compound, authorities announced Friday.
The medical examiner's ruling led to the arrest of her estranged husband Asif Qureshi, 53, who is now charged with murder in connection with her death.
The couple had been fighting over finances, and there were previously five reported domestic incidents at the home, according to Nassau County Police Captain Stephen Fitzpatrick.
Qureshi is accused of breaking into 46-year-old Aleena Asif's home and killing her shortly after she dropped their 7-year-old child off at school.
"There's no signs of a struggle. You're down, and now the burning nature of that compound is burning everything in your respiratory system," Fitzpatrick said.
Officers responded to a call for a well-being check at 143 Larch Dr. in Herricks on Friday, Oct. 17, at approximately 3:52 p.m. when they discovered Asif unconscious and not breathing. She had visible facial burns and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Further testing is pending by the medical examiner's office and the investigation is ongoing.