BRADFORD'S HABIBUR MASUM: THE SMILING KILLER WHO SHOCKED THE NATION

Habibur Masum, a man who initially gained recognition as a devoted parent and social media content creator, was later exposed as a dangerous domestic abuser responsible for a brutal attack in Bradford.

Masum had built an online persona that showcased his involvement in parenting activities, with videos demonstrating how to assemble a cot and shopping for baby clothes. His social media following exceeded 4,000 followers, and he appeared to be a caring figure to his online audience. However, beneath this facade, he was controlling and abusive towards his wife, Kulsuma Akter.

Despite a court order explicitly instructing him to stay away from her, Masum repeatedly attempted to locate and contact Kulsuma after she fled their home with their seven-month-old baby to seek refuge in Bradford. His obsessive behavior culminated in a violent confrontation in April 2024.

On a city street in Bradford, while Kulsuma was pushing her infant in a pram, Masum approached her. Without warning, he launched a savage attack, stabbing her 25 times and slitting her throat in a shocking act of violence that left her to die in the middle of the street. Witnesses described the scene as horrifying, with Masum then fleeing the scene immediately afterward.

In a disturbing display of calmness, Masum was seen walking away from the crime scene, boarding a bus, and even smiling as he departed, a behavior that earned him the chilling nickname ‘The Smiling Killer’ across the nation. The incident drew widespread outrage and concern, prompting a nationwide manhunt for Masum.

Three days after the attack, authorities apprehended him in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Masum, who had arrived in the UK from Bangladesh in 2022, had a troubling criminal history, including previous court cases involving threats and assault.

He faced multiple charges, including murder, assault, threats to kill, stalking, and possession of a knife. During court proceedings, Masum displayed little emotion, even when he pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Later, he broke down in court, claiming diminished responsibility for his actions. His defense argued that he was a victim of conspiracy and that he lost control after discovering that his wife had not turned off location settings on her phone, leading him to believe she was deceiving him to remain in the UK.

The court ultimately found Masum guilty of murder, and sentencing was pending.

Kulsuma’s mother described her as a beloved daughter, and her tragic death sparked intense discussions about domestic violence and its devastating impact. MP Naz Shah publicly condemned the incident, calling domestic violence ‘a cancer that needs eradicating.’

In Bradford, a vigil was held in her memory, aiming to honor her life and raise awareness about violence against women, emphasizing the urgent need for action to prevent such tragedies in the future.