A mother of three is dead, and her estranged husband is now facing murder charges in what police are calling one of the most disturbing domestic violence cases seen in Nassau County this year. Forty-six-year-old Aleena Asif, a certified public accountant, was found inside her Long Island home with severe chemical burns on her face after authorities say she was attacked with a “cyanide-like” substance.
Investigators believe she was targeted in a calculated act of retaliation, just days after serving divorce papers to her husband, 53-year-old Asif Qureshi. Police allege that Qureshi had been watching the home and waiting for the moment Aleena would be alone. That moment came shortly after she returned from dropping off their youngest child at school on October 17.
According to officials, he entered the residence and carried out the attack before fleeing the scene. The house was quiet for hours until Aleena’s 18-year-old daughter called the authorities when her mother failed to pick up the seven-year-old from school.
Detectives say Aleena died from asphyxiation caused by the unknown chemical, believed to be similar to cyanide. The burn injuries on her face suggested she endured significant trauma before losing consciousness. A few hours after the discovery, Qureshi was arrested in Queens, where he had been staying since the separation.
Law enforcement officials described the events as premeditated. They reported that Qureshi had been served divorce documents at his residence on October 9 but refused to accept them, allegedly returning repeatedly to Aleena’s home in the days that followed. Police confirmed they had responded to multiple domestic disturbance calls involving the couple in the past, most related to financial disputes. In one reported incident, Qureshi allegedly threatened to force Aleena to “swallow bleach”. Despite these encounters, no protective orders were issued.
Aleena had previously sought a divorce in 2023, reconciled, and then filed again this year. Prosecutors now argue that the timing of the attack indicates a direct response to her renewed effort to legally end the marriage. Although Qureshi is currently charged with second-degree murder, officials stated they intend to pursue a first-degree charge due to the manner in which the crime was carried out.
Their three children, ages 18, 14, and 7, are currently in the custody of a family member as the investigation progresses. A judge ordered Qureshi held without bail.