A 16-year-old engaged girl in Port Said went to an iftar at her fiancé’s family home. Hours later, she was found dead inside the apartment she was preparing for her wedding. The incident has caused wide backlash, as investigations continue to uncover what really happened.
Fatma Yasser Khalil, 16, had been engaged for several months and was preparing for her wedding after Eid ElFitr last year. On the third day of Ramadan, she and her family accepted an iftar invitation from her fiancé’s family in South Port Said.
According to preliminary accounts, the evening was normal. Due to the distance and limited transportation late at night, Fatma and her mother decided to stay over at the fiancé’s family home until the following morning.
The next morning, Fatma’s mother was in the kitchen with the fiancé’s mother, assuming her daughter was still asleep. After some time, she went to wake her but did not find her in bed.
According to initial statements, Fatma had gone upstairs accompanied by a relative of her fiancé. That relative later returned alone.
As hours passed and Fatma remained missing, concern escalated into panic, prompting a search inside the house.
Found Inside the Marital Apartment
Fatma was eventually found dead inside the unfinished apartment on the upper floor, the same unit that had been prepared as her future marital home.
Reports indicate that a headscarf was wrapped around her neck.
The apartment was still under preparation and not regularly used, which added further mystery to the circumstances of her death. The location of the body intensified public shock and speculation.
The Mother’s account
Fatma’s mother later shared details that fueled public debate.
She stated that while searching for her daughter, her fiancé allegedly told her that Fatma had died and initially tried to prevent her from entering the apartment.
When she finally saw her daughter, she described visible signs suggesting strangulation. These statements form part of the ongoing investigation and have not yet been legally confirmed.
Prosecutors ordered the arrest of the fiancé and the relative who was reportedly the last person seen with Fatma.
Other family members were also questioned as part of the investigation. A forensic medical examiner was assigned to conduct an official examination to determine the preliminary cause of death.
Authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that final conclusions will depend on forensic results and collected evidence on the port said bride case.
