Financial motive suspected

Deaf man found murdered in Wasit in friend’s garden

WASIT — Police in Wasit governorate discovered the body of a 24-year-old man, missing for two days, buried in the garden of a friend’s home. The victim, identified as Moayad Mustafa Nasser, was deaf and nonverbal. Authorities suspect the friend killed him to steal 30 million Iraqi dinars (approximately $20,000) intended for a land purchase.

“The victim, Moayad Mustafa Nasser, was 24 and lived in Al-Bashaer,” a security source told 964media. “He was deaf and nonverbal. His body was found [yesterday] in his friend’s garden, bearing a gunshot wound to the head, with one leg severed.”

Preliminary investigations revealed that Mustafa had contacted via WhatsApp by his friend–also deaf and nonverbal–to finalize a residential land transaction. Mustafa left home Wednesday evening but never returned.

Two days later, police discovered Mustafa’s motorcycle abandoned in the Al-Ma’amil area, south of Al-Hay district. The find prompted a more intensive search, during which a child from the suspect’s family directed authorities to the body’s burial site.

The suspect was apprehended after an extensive manhunt.

Wasit’s Criminal Investigation Department is working to uncover further details, including motives and any potential accomplices.