The mystery surrounding the death of 'the girl with the blue eyes', Raudha Athif, continues to permeate with speculation of a murder instead of the reported suicide.
Raudha Athif: Was It Murder or Suicide?
The Maldivian beauty, Raudha Athif, was born in 1996 in the Republic of Maldives, an archipelagic country in the Indian subcontinent of Asia. She was famously known as a model, however, it was her striking optics - commonly known as "the girl with the blue eyes" - that gained her unrestrained attention.
Described as a caring individual, extremely smart, Raudha was an ambitious intellect who desired to become a doctor, studying as a medical student, who favoured her healthcare pursuits more than modelling. Her life was unfortunately cut short at the age of 20 by an alleged suicide, an idea her family contests - believing it was murder.
Raudha Athif's Background
Evidently blessed with beauty, the melanin charm was passionate about modelling, but on a far much greater scale, she was even more determined to become a doctor, pursuing a scholarship to study medicine in Rajshahi, Western Bangladesh, where she later moved after finishing Hiriya School and Villa International High School.
Before her biggest break with one of Condé Nast's most fashionable publications, Raudha got a taste of the limelight in an environmental campaign on Maldivian National Television when was she 14. She was further discovered - gained popularity from modelling - after enduring a 2014 photoshoot with a Maldivian photographer.
In the country where she'd later meet her demise, Raudha would balance her modelling efforts with studying in October, 2016. A substantial opportunity came in the form of gracing the front cover of Vogue India, for which she happily acceded to, receiving a significant amount of backlash, in the strict Islamic country.
With a whopping 90% of its population being Muslims, Bangladesh is widely known for its cultural values and ethics; including Sharia Laws. Although the country is supposedly warming to alternative religions - the second largest religious group is Hinduism - the mass majority adhere to Islamic beliefs that don't condone most western ideologies.
Although she was a Muslim, Raudha was considered moderate - more relaxed than most - with her faith's beliefs even with the understanding of cultural sensitivities. Attempting to fit into the unyielding society, Raudha was reported to have bought attire that wouldn't encourage resentment considering the strict Muslim dress codes.
The Death of Raudha Athif
Taking an expected twist, Raudha Athif's aspirations would come to an end on March 29th of 2017, after a friend, Sirat Parvin, would find her hanging from a ceiling attached to a scarf. Seven students and warden would attend to her screams, as Raudha's lifeless body hung behind a locked door that was later forced open.
With a blatant disregard of retaining crucial evidence, the dorm room in which she was found was described as a "shambles", with Raudha's body seen laying on a bed detached from the scarf hanging on the fan. Although crime scenes are generally considered delicate - preventing contamination - it didn't stop spectators from entering the room to take pictures.
Even before Raudha's father, Dr. Mohamed Athif, could consent to a post-mortem, it was carried out in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. The examination was carried out by three doctors who all concluded her death as a suicide, to the vexation of her family, who adamantly believed that it was a murder carried out by Islamic extremists for "refusing to wear Islamic clothing".
Aided by a visiting Maldives Police Service team, the investigation into her death was headed by Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, who were deemed "incompetent" for their handling of his daughter's passing. In attendance of family and friends, as well as the Maldivian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Aishath Shann Shakir, Raudha was buried in Hetemkha Graveyard, Rajshahi.
Believing foul play, Mohamed Athif filed a case on 10 April 2017 against Sirat Parvin, the Kashmiri student who happened to be her roommate. Considering the magnitude of "the girl with the blue eyes" - caused by scepticism surrounding her death - a second autopsy was endured by the Criminal Investigation Department. The autopsy was later concluded as a suicide.
Unhappy with his daughter's death enquiries, Raudha's father Mohamed stressed his frustrations in a lengthy Twitter thread: "Criminal investhigations are done based on medico legal evidence including postmortem findings, circumstancial & crime scene evidence. All the forensic findings of Raudha's death points to a clear case of murder" [SIC].
Theories Surrounding Raudha Athif's Death
Causing an increased level of intrigue into the matter of her death, 60 Minutes Australia produced an intense documentary (part one, part two) that suggested foul play, with many controversial theories that seemed to resonate with its viewers. According to pathologists consulting with the show, the marks on Raudha's neck weren't likely caused by a scarf but by a solid object - perhaps a belt leaving "very defined markings".
Additionally, with findings that weren't mentioned in the initial report, bruising seen on her neck appeared like finger prints. Incensed, Mohamed Athif questioned the authorities about the markings and was later told that they weren't finger prints, but birthmarks.
Another controversial fact was that Raudha began with a regular day. The model reportedly cooked a curry for lunch, and also had a cup of tea. Inflaming the fire, potential signs of a struggle were found in her dorm in the form of a a cracked mirror and table (made of glass).
Speaking to The Sun, Raudha's brother, Rayyan Athif said: "Raudha was a happy girl with a bright future and a promising career ahead of her. She was friendly, lighthearted and full of life. Her friends and family find it impossible to believe that she would take her own life.
"There have been a series of murders in Bangladesh which have been staged to look like suicides and Islamic extremists have been suspected to be behind these atrocities."
60 Minutes Australia: Who Killed Raudha Athif (Part One)
60 Minutes Australia: Who Killed Raudha Athif (Part Two)
Share Your Views With Us
Join the conversation, as your opinion matters to us. Feel free to comment below or share this now by launching our share tools.
Want more of us? Join our fast growing communities when you like Tanizzle on Facebook, follow Tanizzle on Twitter and subscribe to the Tanizzle Studios YouTube Channel.