14 years on, police are still hunting killer behind house fire that wiped out a mother and her five children in one night

Published 15 October 2026, 11:57

• Essex Police's cold case murder squad is appealing to an anonymous letter-writer who contacted them with key information about the 2012 Barn Mead blaze
• Detectives have taken 500 witness statements and examined nearly 2,000 items — but no one has been charged
• 'Fourteen years passing does not diminish our determination,' said Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe

A murder investigation into a house fire that killed a mother and her five children in Harlow, Essex, remains active 14 years on, with detectives making a fresh public appeal for information — including a direct plea to an anonymous letter-writer who previously contacted police with potentially significant details.

Dr Sabah Usmani, 44, and her five children — Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and three-year-old Maheen — all died when fire tore through the family home on Barn Mead in the early hours of 15 October 2012.

The sole survivor was the family's husband and father, Dr Abdul Shakoor.

The blaze took hold downstairs at around 1.40am while the family slept.

A silver Ford Focus was set alight nearby at approximately the same time.

Despite Dr Shakoor's frantic efforts to warn his family and get them to safety, the blaze swiftly consumed the home.

Operation Shakespeare, Essex Police's murder investigation into the fire, has involved more than 70 officers and staff over the past 14 years.

Around 500 witness statements have been taken and nearly 2,000 items examined — yet no one has been charged, according to the Essex Police case update.

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who leads the investigation, made a direct appeal to an anonymous letter-writer who had previously made contact with police.

"We know there are people who may have information which could help our investigation," she said.

"That includes the person who took the significant step of writing to us anonymously with information we are keen to explore further."

Metcalfe addressed the letter-writer personally: "I want to speak directly to that person again. You have already taken an important step by contacting us. I understand from your letter that having this information has weighed heavily on you, but we need you to speak to us directly so we can properly explore what you know."

She added: "You will be treated fairly. Please make contact with us and allow us the opportunity to listen to what you have to say."

Metcalfe broadened the appeal beyond the anonymous correspondent.

"Fourteen years is a long time and circumstances change. Relationships change, loyalties change and people who did not feel able to speak to us before may feel differently today," she said.

"The gravity of this investigation is not, and has never been, lost on me," Metcalfe said.

"Dr Shakoor lost his whole family as a result of this fire 14 years ago. He deserves answers."

"Fourteen years passing does not diminish our determination to establish the truth about what happened in Barn Mead and hold the person or people responsible to account," she said.

Metcalfe closed with a pledge: "Our commitment to finding answers for Dr Shakoor has not changed. We will continue to pursue information, follow the evidence and do everything we can to establish the truth about what happened to his family."

Anyone with information can submit it via an online portal, Live Chat, or by calling 101.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers.

"If you know something about what happened at Barn Mead, however insignificant you believe it may be, please tell us," Metcalfe said.