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Published : 28 Jun 2026, 01:21 AM
The man suspected of killing three members of a Bangladeshi family in Italy had been “detached from his family for four years”, his mother and brothers say.
During a visit to his ancestral home in Noakhali’s Companiganj Upazila on Saturday, this correspondent talked to the family members of Md Shahadat Hossain.
His elder brother Ismail Hossain Harun, an expatriate living in Saudi Arabia, said Shahadat sold his share of the family property four years ago and migrated to the UK.
"Since then, he has not had much contact with our family. I came home two months ago. I have not spoken to him over the period either," he added.
Italian police identified and released a photo of him in the afternoon local time, hours after the triple murder in Rome. A manhunt is currently under way
The dead are Kamal Uddin Babul, 39, his wife Arju Akhtar, 38 and their 5-year-old daughter Arwa Islam Arisha. Their 20-year-old son Ayan, identified with a single name, was rescued in seriously injured condition and admitted to a local hospital.
According to Italian police and local media, the family suffered a knife attack inside their apartment in the Italian capital.
Shahadat is the son of Abdul Ahad, a resident of Charkakra Union. He is also a former member secretary of the Upazila unit Jatiotabadi Swechchhesebak Dal, the volunteer wing of the BNP.
The couple had known him for a long time, Shahadat’s family said.
Extramarital Affair Behind the Killing?
Babul’s family, which is also based in the same village as Shahadat, said the two were friends.
Cousin and villager Sajjad Mahmud said Babul once used to live alone in Italy, when his wife and children were in Bangladesh.
“At that time, Shahadat and Kamal’s wife developed an extramarital affair. That relation also led to a local arbitration. Then two years ago, Babul took his wife and children to Italy,” said Sajjad.
When Babul came to Bangladesh on leave with his wife and children during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays in 2025, their lives were threatened, he said.
After that, they returned to Italy, Sajjad added.
Meanwhile, Shahadat moved to the UK with his wife, one son and one daughter about four years ago and the couple later separated there.
Sajjad said Shahadat might have migrated to Italy with the help of Babul’s wife a year ago.
Md Yunus Sumon, another relative of the dead, said Babul took his wife and children to Italy following a dispute with Shahadat in the village.
“Babul warned Shahadat against visiting his house in Italy. But Shahadat did not listen to any objections," said Suman.
‘Clue on Facebook’
Sumon said Shahadat posted a “status on the killings” on Facebook.
“The post says it. We want a fair investigation of the incident and justice for the victims,” he added.
“A person not only dies alone, but also leaves others in a state where they may as well be dead. Therefore, when dying, one should also die with their loved ones. That way, no one has to suffer,” the suspect reportedly wrote on Facebook.
Babul’s father Sirajul directly blamed Shahadat for the murders.
Rahman Ripon, former member secretary of the Upazila unit BNP, said they came to know of the murders on Facebook. “I don’t know much about it.”
Shamsuddin Haider, convenor of the Upazila unit Swechchhesebak Dal, said Shahadat had not maintained any communication with them since migrating to the UK.
Regarding the treats to Babul and his family, Companiganj Police chief Md Nurul Hakim said they had received a verbal complaint.
“After that, police monitored their safety through regular patrols,” he added.
