They Thought Their Mom Died by Suicide — Until Surveillance Footage Revealed It Was Staged By Her Son. Inside the Brutal Murder

The horrifying murder case of Nada Huranieh shocked the community after her death was initially thought to be a suicide or accident. Her daughter, Aya Altantawi, made the gruesome discovery when she found her mother’s body outside their home in Farmington Hills, Michigan on Aug. 21, 2017. She had apparently fallen from an open second-story window. The authorities arriving on the scene first suspected suicide, but further examination of Huranieh’s body revealed signs of blunt force trauma and asphyxiation before the fall. Surveillance footage captured a figure near the window at the time of her death, raising suspicions.

As the investigation delved deeper, it uncovered chilling details that pointed towards a much darker reality – Nada Huranieh’s own son, Muhammad Altantawi, then 16 years old, was responsible for her murder. Muhammad had been reportedly upset with his mother over her decision to divorce his father, which ultimately triggered the tragic events that unfolded. He was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder in 2022 and is serving a lengthy prison sentence for the heinous crime.

Nada Huranieh was a 35-year-old mother of three, originally from Syria, who had immigrated to the United States with her husband, Dr. Bassel Altantawi. The couple’s relationship had soured over time, leading to a tumultuous divorce that was ongoing at the time of Nada’s death. Her decision to pursue a career as a certified fitness instructor and shed her hijab reportedly strained their relationship further. Domestic violence incidents had also marred their past, with Bassel facing charges related to a physical altercation.

The tragic events of that fateful day in August 2017 unfolded when Aya found her mother lying outside their home, ostensibly from a fall from the window. Despite initial assumptions of accident or suicide, post-mortem examinations revealed a far more sinister truth. Dr. Ruben Ortiz-Reyes, the medical examiner, confirmed that Nada had suffered fatal injuries before the fall, with signs of asphyxiation and head trauma. Surveillance footage corroborated the suspicion of foul play, showcasing a figure near the window just before the incident.

The subsequent investigation honed in on Muhammad Altantawi as the prime suspect in his mother’s murder. Despite his initial denials, mounting evidence, including witness testimonies and forensic analysis, pointed towards his guilt. Prosecutors presented a case alleging that Muhammad had a motive rooted in his disapproval of his mother’s decisions and a desire to reconcile his family. The court proceedings ultimately led to his conviction and a lengthy prison sentence, closing a chapter on a tragic and senseless act of violence within the family.

In the aftermath of Nada Huranieh’s murder, her loved ones grappled with the devastating loss and the shocking betrayal at the hands of her own son. The emotional impact reverberated through the courtroom during the trial and sentencing, with Muhammad’s family members expressing their sorrow and disbelief at the events that transpired. As Muhammad serves his sentence, the Huranieh family continues to cope with the aftermath of a heartbreaking tragedy that forever altered their lives.