New search for body of mum-of-three murdered more than a decade ago ends without success after five-week dig

A new search for the body of a murdered mother-of-three - ongoing for more than a month - has ended without success, the Manchester Evening News can reveal. Greater Manchester Police acted after receiving credible fresh intelligence concerning the whereabouts of Rania Alayed's remains and began digging up land.

The 25-year-old was killed by her husband Ahmed Al-Khatib on June 7, 2013. She had dared to leave him after suffering years of domestic and sexual abuse at his hands. He killed her at his brother's flat in Salford before beginning a deception aimed at convincing her family and friends she was still alive.

After killing her, he put on her hijab, jeans and shoes in a bid to pretend she was still alive. He was sentenced to life in 2014. Al-Khatib's brothers, Muhanned and Hussain, were both jailed for perverting the course of justice.

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More than 10 years on, Rania's body hasn't been found. At the time, Al-Khatib said he buried her between trees near the A19 in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. After receiving new information, GMP commenced excavation of land near a layby on the A19 close to Thirsk. The work started at the beginning of September, but the operation was only publicly confirmed this week.

A dozen officers using a mechanical digger and shovels were at the site as early as September 11. The search will be officially closed tomorrow (Friday, October 19), without success.

Police know Rania's body was taken towards the north east in Muhanned Al-Khatib’s white Leyland DAF 200 camper van in the early hours of June 8,