The heartbroken mother of a woman stabbed to death in front of her five-month-old son has described her “heartache” in an exclusive interview with MailOnline.
Monwara Begum, 60, paid tribute to her daughter Kulsuma Akter, 27, when it emerged that her alleged killer’s family had fled their home fearing a revenge attack by her relatives.
Habibur Masum, 25, was arrested by police in Aylesbury on Wednesday, three days after Kulsuma was stabbed to death while shopping in Bradford last Saturday.
But neighbors said his parents have disappeared from their house following the news of Kulsuma’s murder and arrest. Masum was later charged with her murder Wednesday night.
Speaking through tears to MailOnline from her village near the Bangladesh city of Sylhet, Monwara said: “I’m still in shock, my heart is broken, she was my youngest daughter and I adored her very much.”
Kulsuma Akter’s mother Monwara Begum (pictured) tearfully told MailOnline that her ‘heart is broken’ after her daughter’s death.
Floral tributes left outside a shop in Westgate, Bradford, near where Kulsuma was stabbed to death
Habibur Masum (pictured) is being questioned by police over the stabbing, after being the subject of a major manhunt.
‘She took care of me when my eldest daughter got married. [Kulsuma’s father is living in Saudia Arabia] and she would get my meds and do everything for me.
“When she moved to the UK I was alone, but Kulsuma video called me every day – the only day I didn’t hear from her was the day she was attacked.”
He added: “All I want now is a trial and I want Kulsuma to get, after her death, the justice that she did not receive when she was alive.”
Kulsuma’s brother Anwar said his sister had been relocated after they contacted UK authorities concerned for her safety.
She added that a few days before she was attacked, the Masums’ younger brother called her and ‘informed her that [Masum] he had gone to Spain’.
When MailOnline later went to the village where Masum’s parents live, one local said: “They left, they left a few days ago when the news broke.”
“They were afraid of being attacked, we haven’t seen them since it happened.”
On Tuesday, his brother Hossain said the family was “completely devastated” by their loss.
Speaking to MailOnline, he said: “We are heartbroken and completely devastated. “We can’t even talk and have been crying the entire time since this happened.
‘We had to call our mother in Bangladesh to tell her the news. Can you imagine what this was like for us? I can’t believe my sister is dead. I’m sorry, I can’t talk anymore.’
Akter’s cousin Aftab Miah also revealed that she had a traditional arranged marriage with Habibur Masum just over two years ago in Bangladesh.
Kulsuma Akter’s cousin Aftab Miah (pictured) paid tribute to the mother, calling her a “lovely girl” who was “always smiling”.
The scene in Westgate, Bradford, on Saturday after Akter was brutally stabbed to death in broad daylight while pushing her son in a pram.
He then came to the UK to study and she accompanied him as a dependent.
The couple lived in Oldham in a flat above a shop. Mrs Akter has two older brothers who live in the city, as well as a sister and another brother in Bangladesh. She was the youngest of five siblings.
Miah revealed that she did not work, spoke little English and depended on her husband for her financial survival.
Miah, 53, added: “She was a lovely girl and had a great personality.” She was always smiling and liked to make people laugh.
‘We will miss her very much and her death has hit us all very hard. But married life became quite difficult for her.’
He added: ‘The family is spread all over the world and they can’t even get together at this difficult time. I can’t put into words the pain they are going through. It is awful.”
Mrs. Akter’s son was born six months ago and is currently in the care of relatives. He refused to name the baby.
Miah praised the police’s efforts but called for a more thorough investigation into the events leading up to Akter’s murder.
Police officers in white forensic equipment stand inside a cordon at the scene of the stabbing in Bradford.
Officers were seen breaking into a housing association property in Burnley on Sunday and conducting an extensive search of the garden on Monday.
This second house was raided at the same time as the previous one.
Masum, originally from the eastern Bangladesh city of Sylhet, studied a master’s degree in digital marketing at the University of Bedfordshire and videos show him celebrating his graduation.
He said: ‘The family just want justice to be done and are happy the police arrested him quickly. “It’s a big relief for all of us.”
He added: ‘Kulsama thought he was in a safe place but, tragically, that was not the case. You can’t make sense of something like this and it will take us a long time to get over the loss of it.
Police arrested Masum, 25, on Tuesday after a major manhunt and on Wednesday night he was charged with Kulsama’s murder.
West Yorkshire Police said: “Habibur Masum, aged 25, of Leamington Avenue, Burnley, has tonight been charged with murder and possession of a knifed article,” a statement said.
“He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Bradford Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.”
The suspect, from Oldham, was arrested early this morning in the Aylesbury area, 180 miles from Bradford. He is believed to be the child’s father, according to locals, and his Facebook says he is married.
Masum appeared at Tameside Magistrates’ Court accused of assaulting and threatening to kill Ms Akter last November, but was released on bail.
Prosecutors requested that Masum remain in custody after he pleaded not guilty to the charges, it was learned Tuesday.
However, his lawyer argued that he should not be jailed and magistrates agreed to grant Masum a conditional release, on the grounds that he should not have contact with the victim or another family member, and should not go to a particular address in Oldham.
The case was adjourned for 10 months and Masum was ordered to appear before a justice of the peace on September 30.
Habibur Masum is an aspiring blogger who previously posted Primark shopping videos.
On the Internet, Masum presents an image of himself as an enthusiastic traveler who likes to discover new cultures.
Police have already arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Greater Manchester Police and West Yorkshire Police have been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Officer due to their previous contact with Masum and Ms Akter.
Masum, who is from the city of Sylhet in eastern Bangladesh, studied a master’s degree in digital marketing at the University of Bedfordshire and shares travel vlogs of his “adventures” and life in the UK with his 14 YouTube subscribers.