Dateline NBC episode The Shadown in the Window has reportedly explored the mysterious murder of Nada Huranieh, a 35-year-old woman, in 2017. Nada was found dead in her home in Farmington Hills on the morning of August 17, 2017.
The first information about the incident came from Nada's 14-year-old daughter, Aya Altantawi, who had reportedly called 911 for help. When the police arrived at the scene, they found Nada lying face-up on the patio of her house. She was not moving at all. Aya reportedly told Dateline:
"I remember screaming but, it’s like in those movies where the character’s like, ‘Oh I screamed but I didn’t realize it was coming from me.'"
Soon after the incident, Nada's son, Muhammad Altantawi, was reportedly charged with her mother's murder. Eventually, it turned out that everything had been elaborately planned, and complications within the family was one of the driving forces behind Nada's death. The official synopsis of Dateline: The Shadow in the Window reads:
"A teenager's life is turned upside down when she finds her mother lying on the patio. What initially seems like a fatal accident reveals itself to be something much more disturbing."
Disclaimer: This article contains descriptions of murder. Please be advised.
5 harrowing details about the murder of Nada Huranieh
(1) Nada Huranieh's death was staged as a tragic accident
On the morning of August 17, 2017, Nada's daughter Aya found her mother lying dead outside their house, right below a second-floor window. The call recording revealed Aya's distressed voice saying:
"We need an ambulance... Oh my God."
When the police arrived, it was suspected that Nada had accidentally fallen off and landed on the patio. According to reports, the autopsy revealed that she had been suffocated with a damp piece of cloth or towel before being pushed out of the window.
There were also signs of injury on her body, indicating that a crime had been committed. It thus became clear that the whole scene was staged to make it look like a tragic accident.
(2) Inconsistencies in Muhammad's alibi made him the prime suspect
After a five-year-long investigation and putting together several pieces of evidence, 16-year-old Muhammad Altantawi's name came up. There were certain inconsistencies in his alibi. He reportedly said that he was not at home when the murder took place.
Furthermore, investigators spotted movement outside the house during the crime using surveillance footage. Objects looking like ladders, cleaning equipment, and shadows were seen near the window through which Nada had fallen.
(3) Muhammad's call records and fax details revealed some incriminating information
Call records of Muhammad reportedly revealed that he and his father were continuously in touch over the phone. Several calls were made exactly when Muhammad claimed that he was sleeping, as reported on Dateline.
The police even found pictures of the window (from where Nada was pushed) faxed to his father, reports. It eventually became evident that it was a pre-meditated murder. Moreover, the inconsistencies in Muhammad's alibi were solid enough for him to be convicted.
(4) A personal bias was a major motive behind the murder
Muhammad Altantawi had taken his father's side following a disturbing divorce from his mother. The prosecution made claims that a personal bias was a significant motive behind the murder. The tragic part was that a teenager had committed a brutal crime.
(5) A family shattered by the mother's death and a son's imprisonment
Aya Altantawi was affected by her mother's death. Moreover, the children had also gone through a lot because of their parents' divorce. According to reports, Nada had faced domestic violence and wanted to be separated from he husband.
Furthermore, Aya was the first person to find her mother dead, and her brother's conviction only added fuel to the fire. According to The Detroit News, Muhammad Altantawi received 35-60 years imprisonment in 2022.
Trending
Also read: What happened to Karen Swift?
Reply
