A man has been handed a 30-year prison term for the tragic killing of his own daughter, and he later sent disturbing text messages to his sons following the heinous act.
The victim, Ryan al Najjar, was discovered bound and silenced, lying facedown in a pond at a secluded country park shortly after her 18th birthday. She met her demise at the hands of her father, Khaled al Najjar, who alleged that she was straying from their cultural norms, aided by her brothers Muhanad, 25, and Muhamad, 24.
Ryan’s mother, Sumaia al Najjar, and Khaled had strived to relocate their family from the war-torn region of Syria to seek asylum in the Netherlands. However, in a cruel turn of events, Ryan was brutally murdered due to her modernized lifestyle that her father disapproved of.
Her lifeless body was wrapped in 18 meters of duct tape and discarded in shallow water at a nearby nature reserve, with evidence pointing to Khaled’s involvement through DNA traces found on the tape and under her fingernails. Shockingly, signs indicated that Ryan was still alive when she was thrown into the water. In a chilling revelation, Khaled expressed remorse for not burying her.
During the legal proceedings, it emerged that the two brothers had escorted their sister to the secluded location and abandoned her with their father, leading to the judges attributing culpability for the murder to the brothers as well. Further evidence implicated the brothers through data retrieved from their phones and algae discovered on their footwear.
Following the crime, Khaled fled back to Syria and is currently residing with another woman. Despite being tried in absentia, he received a 30-year sentence, while Ryan’s brothers were found guilty of aiding in the murder and were sentenced to 20 years behind bars.
Although the family appeared assimilated in their new country, Ryan’s mother revealed that her daughter’s evolving style and behavior sparked conflicts within the family. She disclosed instances of her husband’s abusive behavior and manipulation, portraying him as a violent individual who instigated the tragic outcome.
Ryan’s defiance to conform began around the age of 15, as she sought acceptance. Her actions, such as discarding traditional attire and engaging in social activities, provoked her father’s ire, particularly his disapproval of her interactions with boys and participation in social media trends.
Iman, one of Ryan’s sisters, also recounted their father’s domineering and unjust nature, describing the household as tense and fearful due to his authoritarianism. She highlighted instances of his unfair treatment towards her siblings, including violent outbursts and threats, shedding light on the toxic environment that ultimately led to Ryan’s untimely demise.