Officers are working to investigate the horrific murder of Saima Khan, who was found dead in her house in Overstone Road, in Luton on Monday 23rd May.
Her family discovered her slumped on the floor when they returned home from a late-night funeral. She underwent a stab wound to the neck, which became the cause of her death.
Medics and police officers dashed to the crime scene but they were incapable of saving her, with the mother-of-four being professed dead at her home at around 11.30pm.
Detectives are open to ideas of the motive of the murder and have not ruled out the likelihood that it could have been an honour killing.
Mrs Khan moved to England from Holland and lived with her parents, sister and taxi-driver husband, Hafeez Rehman.
She was described by her neighbours as a “quiet but friendly lady”.
Mrs Khan’s husband, Mr Rehman appealed with the local community to remain unified as he made an emotive tribute to his wife.
He said: “She was a loving mother to four beautiful children, a devoted wife, a beloved daughter and the most caring of sisters.
“She has been taken from us at the age of 34 and my children have been deprived of their mother.
“This was a junction in our lives where we intended to watch our children grow, to love them and spend quality time as a family and make memories.
‘We have been left with a gap in our lives and we can only pray that she is resting in peace.
“As everyone can appreciate and understand that the circumstances have torn our hearts apart. My family and I would like to thank you all for the condolences messages, and support that we have received from family, friends and the local community.”
Mr Rehman added: “We are working alongside Bedfordshire Police in this investigation and we would like for those responsible to be caught and brought to justice.
“We would like to thank Bedfordshire Police who have put in their greatest efforts in this investigation and for the support we have received from our family liaison officer.
“We request and plead that anyone with any information that may assist the investigation to come forward.
“We understand that this incident has shaken the whole community and we ask that the community is united in this time of need.”
Officers from Bedfordshire Police said they were continuing to appeal for witnesses who could provide them with information to get in contact with them.
Detective Chief Inspector Adam Gallop said: “This is a tragic incident and I would urge anyone who witnessed anything suspicious to get in touch with us, to help us establish the circumstances.
“We are keeping an open mind as to what led to Saima’s death and we have a team of officers following a number of lines of inquiry.
“Even small pieces of information could be crucial, so I’d ask people in the area to cast their minds back to see if they can remember anything suspicious.
“You might have been driving or walking along Overstone Road and either saw or heard something suspicious – if so we want to hear from you.”
