A 27-year-old man from Ilford was shot and killed by a relative during a visit to Pakistan, a UK coroner’s court has heard. Daniel Sher, of Vaughan Gardens, died from a gunshot wound to the chest in Gujrat, Pakistan, on May 29, 2024.
Despite widespread speculation online—including viral TikTok videos viewed over a million times—British authorities remain unable to shed light on the exact circumstances of the killing.
UK Inquest Delayed
At East London Coroner’s Court, Senior Coroner Graeme Irvine confirmed that a planned inquest has been postponed for six months after Pakistani authorities failed to hand over evidence from the criminal investigation.
“I have received nothing in relation to the issue of the criminal investigation that has gone on in Pakistan,” Mr Irvine stated, citing limited cooperation despite repeated requests made through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
While some documents, such as Daniel’s passport, death certificate, and repatriation papers, have been supplied, the core trial evidence remains absent.
Uncle Admitted Guilt, Then Withdrew
During the hearing, Daniel’s mother confirmed that an uncle had initially admitted culpability for the shooting but has since attempted to reverse that admission and repeatedly sought bail.
She expressed frustration at the lack of assistance from UK authorities, stating she had to privately fund a lawyer in Pakistan with inconsistent communication.
“My son is killed. I want the help from here to see and follow the case,” she pleaded. “He is a British passport holder. What kind of help can I get from the UK government?”
Mr Irvine acknowledged her concerns and replied:
“The FCDO should provide you with support and information about the criminal case in Pakistan… They should be facilitating communication between you here in England and what’s happening in the court in Pakistan.”
What Happens Next
The inquest has been adjourned until November 2025, with the coroner noting that while the UK court cannot assign criminal blame, further information from the sentencing hearing in Pakistan may inform his final conclusions.
“It seems to me that it is possible that further information that would be useful to me as part of the inquest could be achieved from finding out what happens at the sentencing hearing,” said Mr Irvine.
The FCDO said in a statement:
“We have supported the family of a British national who died in Pakistan and were in contact with the local authorities.”
Context and Family Plea
The case underscores the jurisdictional limits of UK coroners when British nationals are killed abroad and the challenges grieving families face in accessing justice across international borders.
Daniel Sher’s family continues to seek justice, urging the UK government to provide stronger diplomatic and legal support in tracking the progress of the case overseas.
