Essex Police remain “determined to secure justice for the Shakoor family” as the devastating house fire that claimed the lives of six family members still remains a mystery 12 years later.

The family were sound asleep in their terraced home in Barn Mead, Harlow at 1.40am on October, 15 2012 when the fire rapidly spread through the downstairs of the property. A silver Ford Focus was also set ablaze simultaneously in close proximity to the house fire.

The residence was swiftly consumed by flames and smoke. In a desperate bid to alert others and seek help for his family, Dr Shakoor managed to escape from an upstairs window. However, the fire tragically took hold and Dr Shakoor’s wife, 44 year old Dr Sabah Usmani, and their five children – daughters Hira, 12, and Maheen, three, and sons Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine and Rayyan, six did not survive.

The murder investigation, dubbed Operation Shakespeare, has been ongoing for 12 years, and while it remains unsolved Essex Police are resolute in their mission to bring those responsible for the fire to justice.

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, stated: “Dr Shakoor lives with the unimaginable pain of losing his entire family; a wife who he had planned to grow old with; children who he imagined growing up and going on to do great things. But that future was taken from him exactly 12 years ago. For 12 years, no one has faced justice for what happened but I remain committed to changing that.”

DCI Metcalfe has passionately engaged with Dr Shakoor, noting: “I have met with Dr Shakoor and I see his unwavering determination to see someone or some people held accountable for his family’s deaths. I am committed to doing all we can to give him that.”

Despite the extensive scope of the investigation which has involved over 70 police officers and staff, seen around 500 individuals providing witness statements, and nearly 2,000 items meticulously examined, DCI Metcalfe insists: “No case is ever closed, and this investigation has been regularly reviewed to identify new lines of enquiry. Securing justice for Dr Shakoor remains our determined aim and I remain very confident the answers to this absolute tragedy lie within the Harlow community.”

The quest for answers continues as investigators urge the public to come forth with any relevant information regarding the devastating fire, in the hopes of finally achieving justice for those affected.

Detectives are continuing to appeal for information in relation to the following lines of enquiry:

• A white man aged in his late teens/early 20s on a bicycle seen in the area when the house and car were set alight. It is thought he could be a key witness.
• The family laptop, a black Toshiba Satellite, which was taken from the house in a burglary. This has not been located. Do you know where the laptop is or was?
• The laptop was fitted with a two-pin lead because it was bought in Saudi Arabia. The laptop bag and lead were later recovered near to the scene between Whitewaits and St Michael’s Close. Did you see these items being dumped or did you notice any suspicious activity in these areas at the time?
• Attached to the laptop lead was a shaver adapter plug. This did not belong to the Shakoor family which suggests someone tried to use the plug. Did you have a shaver plug missing from your home at the time?
• Do you know anything about the silver Ford Focus which was set alight?
• In November 2012 a person rang Harlow police station from a phone box and left a message about the fire. Are you that person? Please contact us.
• Also in November 2012 a piece of paper about the murder investigation was left on a shelf in Boots in Harlow. Did you leave that piece of paper?

The dedicated team at Essex Police are reachable through their Digital 101 service for anyone with insights, or direct calls to the number 101 may be made. Moreover, anonymity is respected; those wishing to share information without being identified may do so through Crimestoppers website or by dialing 0800 555 111 to get in touch with the independent charity.