Family disputes break out over the belongings of the late Egyptian Cinderella

Published October 9th, 2003 - 03:00 GMT

The eldest sister of the late Egyptian actress Suad Hosni, Kawthar, surprised the entire family when she held an auction for the belongings of Suad without giving prior notice to anyone. When the family found out that Kawthar had held an auction, disputes broke out leading to charges being filed at police stations.

According to the UAE based daily, Al Bayan, a small advertisement was placed in one of the local Egyptian newspapers announcing the auction, but no name was given as to who was holding it, and the only information given was the time and place. Suad’s other sister, Jihan, was in utter shock when she traced the advertisement and realized that it was placed by her eldest sister, and that was when the family disputes begun.

Jihan had stressed that Kawthar did not notify any of Suad’s heirs of the auction and therefore they filed charges against her, stating that a matter like this needs to be done legally and through court. Jihan added that Kawthar insisted on having the auction which proved that she only cares about benefiting from selling Suad’s belongings not caring about the sentimental value they hold.

Recently, a British investigator has revealed that there is a very strong possibility of reopening the case of Suad’s cause of death. The investigator said the decision came after the sudden appearance of an eyewitness who claims that the actress’s death was not suicide, and has the evidence to prove it.

An official at the British Ministry of Interior, John Barney, admitted that the case was closed too quickly without any intensive investigation in the matter. John added that despite the case was closed recently, the new evidence that has appeared in gives them reason to look into the case.

It was revealed that the neighbor of Suad’s friend, who lives in the apartment next to the one Suad, known as the Cinderella of Egyptian cinema, died in, had admitted that his previous testimony with regards to what went on is not the least bit true and he had said it because he was in a state of utter fear. The neighbor stressed that he is now able to testify to what actually took place, which proves the actress did not commit suicide and was actually murdered. The neighbor said that before Suad died he had overheard loud screaming and fighting between the actress and another man, and even heard Suad screaming out for help.

The man said that at this point he was about to call the police but his wife stopped him saying that it is not their business to interfere, despite the fact that it was the first time since Suad took residence with her friend that he had heard her voice grow so loud, saying that she had always been such a peaceful person.

Barney noted that the witness refused to give out his name for security purposes, adding that in the testimony it was revealed that Suad’s friend Nadia had left the apartment moments before the tragedy occurred, a matter that gives rise for doubts on the extent of involvement of Nadia. Barney also said that no personal possessions were found with the victim, like money or jewelry, despite the fact that her family stressed that the actress had a lot of money with her. Nadia had at the trial stressed that Suad came to her penniless and owned no jewelry.

Another matter which makes Suad’s death not a suicide is the fact that one of her shoe was found in the kitchen while the other on her foot, a matter that Barney stresses is not an action of someone who intends on killing him/herself.

Barney had admitted that British officials had wanted to close the case for fear of causing too much commotion and giving the matter more importance than it deserves since it is not a British concern. But he stressed that despite this fact, the new evidence given is enough to reopen the case and find the perpetrator behind Suad’s death.

Ever since Suad passed away, a number of different conclusions were reached regarding the actual cause of death. Her death marked one of the biggest mysteries that hit the Egyptian cinema, with many speculating whether she committed suicide, accidentally fell over the balcony, or was assassinated. People have been waiting anxiously for two years for British court officials to make their final verdict regarding her death.

Arab cinema's Cinderella, died at the age of 57 after she fell from the balcony of her friend Yusri’s apartment in the Maida Vale district of London on June 21, 2001. - Albawaba.com