Raudha Athif
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Raudha Athif | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1996-05-18)18 May 1996 |
| Died | 29 March 2017(2017-03-29) (aged 20) Rajshahi Islami Bank Medical College, Rajshahi, Bangladesh |
| Cause of death | controversial suicide by hanging |
| Education | Hiriya School |
| Occupation | Medical student |
| Known for | Vogue model |
| Height | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) |
Raudha Athif (18 May 1996 – 29 March 2017) was a Maldivian[1] Vogue model and medical student, who died in Rajshahi, Bangladesh.[1][2][3]
Athif was educated at Hiriya School and Villa International High School in the Maldives. After her graduation she received a scholarship from the Maldivian Department of Higher Education,[4][5] and subsequently moved to Rajshahi in Bangladesh, to study medicine at Islami Bank Medical College.[6]
At the age of 14, she participated in an environmental awareness campaign broadcast on Maldivian National Television.[7] She gained wider public attention following a photoshoot in 2014 with Maldivian photographer Sotti and artist Alexey Vladimir,[7] which went viral on social media due to her "exotic" appearance, particularly her striking blue eyes. The image was popularly referred to as the “Maldivian Girl with Aqua Blue Eyes”.[5][8] In October 2016, she was featured on the cover of Vogue India.[8]
Death and controversy
Athif was found dead by her best friend and roommate, Sirat Parvin, in her dormitory room at Islami Bank Medical College on 29 March 2017.[3][5] A post-mortem examination was conducted at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital; the procedure reportedly began before consent was given by her father.[5][9] An autopsy conducted by three doctors concluded that her death was a suicide by hanging. The case was investigated by the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, with assistance from a team from the Maldives Police Service.[4] Athif was buried at Hetemkha Graveyard in Rajshahi. Her funeral was attended by family members and the Maldivian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Aishath Shan Shakir.[10]
Athif’s father, Mohamed Athif, also a medical doctor, disputed the conclusion that her death was a suicide.[11] Her family alleged that she had been killed, suggesting she was possibly targeted by an Islamic extremist for "refusing to wear Islamic clothing".[6] On 10 April 2017, her father filed a case against Sirat Parvin, the Kashmiri student who had found Athif's body.[1][5][12] On 24 April 2017, her body was exhumed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which carried out a second autopsy.[13] The CID later stated that its investigation also concluded that Athif had died by suicide.[14]
The case was subsequently investigated by the Australian television programme 60 Minutes, in which multiple criminal experts suggested the possibility of foul play.[5][15] The journalists involved later reported that they were instructed to stop filming and leave the country.[15]
References
- 1 2 3 "Classmate sued over Maldivian model killing". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
- ↑ Eleftheriou-Smith, Loulla-Mae (16 October 2017). "Raudha Athif: Family of Vogue model who 'killed herself' in dormitory believe she was murdered". The Independent. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- 1 2 Rehan, Mohamed (18 October 2017). "Bangladesh police overrules model raudha athif's demise as murder". Avas. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- 1 2 Godden, Maryse (10 April 2017). "Death of Vogue cover girl Raudha Athif was work of extremists, parents say". news.com.au. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mystery surrounding death of 'the girl with the blue eyes' (Video). 60 Minutes Australia. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2026 – via YouTube.
- 1 2 Napoli, Daniela Sternitzky-Di (7 April 2017). "Vogue cover model, Raudha Athif allegedly murdered for refusing to wear Islamic clothing". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- 1 2 "Maldives model found dead in Rajshahi hostel". The Daily Star. 30 March 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- 1 2 Gupta, Sheree Gomes (10 April 2017). "RIP Raudha Athif". Vogue India. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ↑ "Autopsy performed on Maldivian model Raudha Athif". Dhaka Tribune. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ↑ "Raudha buried in Rajshahi town". The Daily Star. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ↑ "Death of Maldivian model: Father rejects CID findings". Dhaka Tribune. 18 October 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ↑ "Maldivian model, medical student Raudha killed herself: CID". bdnews24.com. 18 October 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ↑ "Probe finds Raudha was not murdered". The Daily Star. 18 October 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ↑ "Raudha committed suicide, says CID". The Daily Star. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- 1 2 Stefanovic, Peter (16 October 2017). "60 Minutes team forced out of Bangladesh while investigating model's alleged murder". Nine.com.au. Retrieved 16 April 2025.