Biography:Raudha Athif
Raudha Athif | |
|---|---|
| Born | 18 May 1996 |
| Died | 29 March 2017 (aged 20) Rajshahi Islami Bank Medical College, Rajshahi, Bangladesh |
| Cause of death | controversial suicide by hanging |
| Nationality | Maldivian |
| 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]
Biography
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
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Classmate sued over Maldivian model killing" (in en). Prothom Alo. http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/144877/Classmate-sued-on-Maldivian-student-death.
- ↑ Eleftheriou-Smith, Loulla-Mae (16 October 2017). "Raudha Athif: Family of Vogue model who ‘killed herself’ in dormitory believe she was murdered". The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/raudha-athif-vogue-model-kill-herself-murdered-family-bangladesh-a8003046.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Rehan, Mohamed (18 October 2017). "Bangladesh police overrules model raudha athif's demise as murder". Avas. https://avas.mv/en/39821.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Godden, Maryse (10 April 2017). "Death of Vogue cover girl Raudha Athif was work of extremists, parents say". news.com.au. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/death-of-vogue-cover-girl-raudha-athif-was-work-of-extremists-parents-say/news-story/654ee6a51a345e8f712bf043da038cd4.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Mystery surrounding death of 'the girl with the blue eyes' (Video). 60 Minutes Australia. 2019-03-14. Retrieved 2026-01-15 – via YouTube.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Napoli, Daniela Sternitzky-Di (7 April 2017). "Vogue cover model, Raudha Athif allegedly murdered for refusing to wear Islamic clothing". Houston Chronicle. https://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Vogue-cover-model-Raudha-Athif-murdered-by-11057469.php.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Maldives model found dead in Rajshahi hostel" (in en). The Daily Star. 30 March 2017. https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/maldives-model-found-dead-rajshahi-hostel-1383475.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Gupta, Sheree Gomes (2017-04-10). "RIP Raudha Athif" (in en-IN). https://www.vogue.in/content/vogue-remembers-cover-girl-raudha-athif.
- ↑ "Autopsy performed on Maldivian model Raudha Athif" (in en-US). 31 March 2017. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/17695/autopsy-performed-on-maldivian-model-raudha-athif.
- ↑ "Raudha buried in Rajshahi town" (in en). The Daily Star. 1 April 2017. https://www.thedailystar.net/city/maldivian-student-committed-suicide-says-autopsy-report-1384747.
- ↑ "Death of Maldivian model: Father rejects CID findings". Dhaka Tribune. 18 October 2017. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/128434/death-of-maldivian-model-father-rejects-cid.
- ↑ "Maldivian model, medical student Raudha killed herself: CID". bdnews24.com. 18 October 2017. https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/maldivian-model-medical-student-raudha-killed-herself-cid.
- ↑ "Probe finds Raudha was not murdered". The Daily Star. 18 October 2017. https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/probe-finds-raudha-was-not-murdered-1477936.
- ↑ "Raudha committed suicide, says CID". The Daily Star. 17 October 2017. https://www.thedailystar.net/city/maldivian-vogue-model-student-raudha-athif-committed-suicide-in-rmch-says-bangladesh-criminal-investigation-department-cid-1477690.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Stefanovic, Peter (16 October 2017). "60 Minutes team forced out of Bangladesh while investigating model's alleged murder". Nine.com.au. https://www.9news.com.au/world/60-minutes-team-forced-out-of-bangladesh-while-investigating-models-alleged-murder/29a5ce22-3b80-4963-bb5a-2c5b6069aa65.
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