Sara Sharif’s father, stepmother and uncle have been identified in connection with her murder investigation, Surrey Police have said.
An international manhunt is under way for Urfan Sharif, 41, Beinash Batool, 29, and Faisal Shahzad Malik, 28, as officers try to work out what happened to the 10-year-old.
Mr Sharif is believed to have travelled to Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, on 9 August with his partner Ms Batool, his brother Mr Malik, and five children aged between one and 13-years old.
A body, now formally identified as Sara’s following DNA testing, was found by police at a home in Woking a day later, at around 2.50pm.
The force said a post-mortem revealed that Sara “suffered multiple and extensive injuries”, which they said were “likely to have been caused over a sustained and extended period of time”.
However, the cause of Sara’s death is “still to be established”, and further tests were needed, a spokesperson said.
Image: Sara Sharif
It is now known that Urfan Sharif called 999 from Islamabad on 10 August, expressing a concern for his eldest daughter’s safety – although exact details of the conversation are unknown.
Sky News has seen the passports and holding plane tickets for Mr Sharif, Ms Batool and Mr Malik.
Eight tickets in total were booked by Sara’s father.
These were for three adults and five children – and paid for by his brother Mr Malik at a cost of around £5,100, according to Nadeem Riaz, the travel agent that sold the tickets.
Mr Riaz told Sky News he initially had a phone call with Mr Sharif, whose voice sounded “totally normal”.
“On 8 August at 10pm I received a call. Urfan said he wanted to book a ticket to Pakistan. He said his cousin passed away. I told him to send me passport pictures,” Mr Riaz said.
Mr Sharif sent these to Mr Riaz on WhatsApp, followed by a text that read: “As soon as possible.”
Mr Riaz told Sky News: “I asked him one way or return. He said ‘one way’.”
He added: “Whenever I look at my daughters… she is seven years old… and I feel very sad for Sara. I feel pain.”
Image: Nadeem Riaz said he spoke to Mr Sharif on the phone
Police have been working with international authorities to locate the trio and are urging any witnesses – or anyone with information – to come forward.
There is no formal extradition treaty between the UK and Pakistan.
Image: Surrey Police officers outside the property
Mr Sharif and Mr Malik both have Pakistani passports, and it is understood that Ms Batool and the five children have Pakistani NICOP cards – the National Identity Card for Oversees Pakistanis – which allows individuals to travel to Pakistan without visas.
Meanwhile, officers remain at the property in Hammond Road in Horsell, a village less than a mile north of Woking town centre.
Neighbours said a Pakistani family with six “very young” children had moved in in April.
Flowers have been left outside, with one message reading: “Sweet girl, I’m so sorry that your sparkle was put out too soon.”
Police are expected to remain at the property in the quiet Woking village of Horsell for “some weeks”.
Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot-kick following two huge saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, after Alessia Russo scored an equaliser to send the game to a shootout.
Nowhere was the roar for the Lionesses louder than in the Astley and Tyldesley Miners Welfare club on the outskirts of Manchester.
The club where a five-year-old Ella Toone started her journey to England stardom, like so many places across the country, hosted nail-biting, table-thumping and, ultimately, deafening watch parties.
The roof almost came off the clubhouse when Chloe Kelly’s winning penalty went in.
Red bucket hats emblazoned with Toone’s now-famous ‘Buzzing My Head Off’ catchphrase were thrown in the air.
“Absolutely ecstatic,” said Lorraine Warwick-Ellis, who runs the pathway development for women and girls at the club.
“I was very nervous, very worried about penalties but we did it in the end.”
The success of the Lionesses has driven a huge boom in the popularity of women’s and girls football in recent years. She hopes this win will have a similar effect.
“I hope it cements the girls who are already here, keeps them engaged, and I hope it brings more girls down who want to be footballers and see that it’s open for everybody.”
It had been a pretty sombre watch for much of the game after Spain took the lead – but it erupted into life after Alessia Russo’s equaliser.
The shootout was the usual emotional rollercoaster but young fans seem to have greater faith in the Lionesses.
Among the jubilant teenagers celebrating in the clubhouse were two who have followed Toone’s path to academies at professional clubs.
“It’s unbelievable, they’re amazing, Chloe Kelly, I just don’t know what to say about her,” said Natasha Greenhouse. “We knew if it went to penalties that they’d do it.”
Tamsin Gallagher said: “They’ve done it the hard way all the way through the Euros but we all believed in them. Come on England.”
The party in Manchester and around the country and only just begun.
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16:49
‘I am so incredibly proud’
Prince William and Princess Charlotte, who were in attendance at St Jakob-Park in Basel, added on social media: “What a game!
“Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn’t be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment England.”
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In a post on the official Royal Family account on X, King Charles also sent his “most heartfelt congratulations on winning the Euros 2025” to the Lionesses.
“For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant ‘football’s coming home’,” he said.
“As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true.
“For this, you have my whole family’s warmest appreciation and admiration. More than that, though, you have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms.”
The monarch ended his statement by saying “the next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy added: “What an absolutely extraordinary achievement by our Lionesses – once again they have made history and united the country with pride and joy.”
Reform UK’s Nigel Farage said “well done” to the team and “what an absolutely fantastic watch,” while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “What an achievement. What a team!”
A man has died after suffering cardiac arrest onboard a boat attempting to reach the UK.
The vessel turned back towards Equihen beach on the French coast yesterday morning.
A nurse tried to resuscitate the man but was unsuccessful.
Image: Pic: PA
French authorities have now launched an investigation into the circumstances.
A spokesperson for Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, has criticised authorities on both sides of the Channel.
Jacob Burns said: “Yet again we have a tragedy in the Channel, that is the consequence of the deadly, costly and ineffective security policies implemented by the UK and France.”
Image: Pic: PA
Later on Saturday, a lifeboat carried migrants who have made the voyage into the Port of Dover.
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Photographs showed them huddled under blankets and orange life jackets on board.
“The opportunity of tomorrow and what’s on offer is the best thing in football,” the England captain said. “I think we don’t necessarily carry the weight of it and how much it means to people, but we’re aware of it because it means the same to us.”
So often they were only watching other nations making finals.
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England’s first was the men winning the 1966 World Cup.
Image: England manager Sarina Wiegman reacts to defeat against Spain at the Women’s World Cup final in 2023. Pic: Reuters
Image: Lauren James looks dejected after their World Cup defeat, but is confirmed fit for Sunday’s revenge match against Spain. Pic: Reuters
Now, in Basel, comes the chance for revenge against Spain – even though no one in the England camp is saying that, publicly at least, in Switzerland.
Especially knowing how challenging a task it is coming up again against Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putella – the recent winners of football’s biggest individual honours.
Image: England fans celebrating after England beat Italy to reach the finals. Pic: Reuters
Image: Given England’s history against Spain, it could be a nerve-wracking time for England fans. File pic: Action Images/Reuters
But this is Spain’s first Euros final.
And there is some fear from the world champions at England’s grit and resolve to produce comebacks late in the quarter-finals and semi-finals – with 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang’s goals integral to the fightbacks.
Image: England celebrate their semi-final win against Italy to reach the finals. Pic: Reuters
Image: Michelle Agyemang has propelled England to the Euro 2025 final with two vital goals. Pic: AP
Spain captain Irene Paredes reflected yesterday on how the Lionesses can flip a result late on.
But she was also discussing how their World Cup win was tarnished by the on-pitch kiss that led to former Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales being convicted of a sexual assault on striker Jenni Hermoso.
It sparked a wider clamour in Spain for improved rights and respect for women.
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2:10
Spain’s players struggle for respect
“Since then [2023] we took big steps forward,” Paredes said.
“I think this idea is disappearing from society. I still believe we have to continue opening doors… we’re a reference for boys and girls in society, but we still have things to do.”
It is a reminder that while tonight is about collecting silverware, both England and Spain know that emerging as champions can drive further growth in women’s football back home.
Amid it all, they’ll try to savour just what reaching a final means and how rare they are – until recently for English and Spanish women.