Graduate mum lay dead in her f lat for months af ter divorce

‘Very shocking and sickening incident’

A PHD chemistry graduate lay dead in a flat for months after her life spiralled out of control following her divorce.

Huma Iqbal, 37, who was described by friends as ‘brilliant and intelligent’, was found dead at her flat by police earlier this month.

The graduate was discovered in a room which is said to have contained ‘no more than a box in the corner and some children’s toys’.

It is thought she was left ‘starving’ leading up to her death after friends said no food was found in her flat.

And now friends have revealed the mother-of-one was in touch with social services after she was left begging for food in the months before her death.

Miss Iqbal, who used to be a university professor in Pakistan, moved to Scotland for a new life more than a decade ago.

But her life is said to have spun out of control after she divorced her husband and lost custody of her son. Friends are now demanding answers from authority bosses as to how the young woman was apparently ‘abandoned’ during her desperate time of need.

Neighbour Navpreet Kaur believes social services should have done more while Miss Iqbal, who leaves behind her six-year-old son, was deteriorating.

She said: ‘Huma was a nice lady who was calm and quiet.

‘She used to be out all the time when she had her son. When she lost custody she went downhill and began to deteriorate.

‘I only used to pass her briefly early in the morning about once a month.

‘I believe she had been in touch with social services who were working with her so I thought she was in good hands.

‘I was shocked when I heard what had happened. The social workers are supposed to be looking after people’s wellbeing and they have let her down.’

Friend Azra Ahsan added: ‘It is scary. I last saw Huma around 18 months ago and she was very positive. She had her CV done and was looking for work. Her flat was fully furnished and she was happy with her son – there was no signs of depression.

‘It is so sad that she cut off her family and friends.’

It is believed Miss Iqbal was last seen more than a month ago when she went to see the concierge asking for food because she was ‘starving’. Another friend, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: ‘It is a very shocking and sickening incident.

‘She was a bright young woman who was very intelligent. She loved her son so much and the whole situation is just so sad.

‘If we could go back in time I would break down the door. We want answers.

‘She was hungry and looked very weak. The concierge told her he didn’t have any and to go to Leith food bank.

‘There was no food in the flat at all, just a few empty cans. We think she was starving and was just too weak. If the concierge knew she was struggling and was hungry, why did he not check on her?’

Police were alerted to the death at her fifth floor flat at 9.35am on October 18. They confirmed her death is currently being treated as unexplained and there are no suspicious circumstances. They also said they feared the body had been there for ‘some time’.

Friend Andi Vincent said on Twitter: ‘She was living alone and passed away alone her body was found after four months.’

It is also said that more than a year ago police broke down Miss Iqbal’s door and found her unconscious in the bathroom.

The city council, its partner agencies and detectives have launched an investigation.

A council spokesman said: ‘ We were very saddened to hear of the death of the resident at Cables Wynd and a review of the circumstances surrounding what happened is ongoing.’