Bondi Beach terrorist Sajid Akram’s body handed to Government as estranged wife refuses possession

The estranged wife of dead Bondi Beach terrorist Sajid Akram claims the couple were no longer living together before the fatal shooting, refusing to accept possession of the body after he was shot dead by police.

Verena Akram, who resides in the western Sydney suburb of Bonnyrigg, has reportedly signed the body of Akram, 50, over to the NSW Government for a destitute burial.

7NEWS reporter Clementine Cuneo first revealed Verena wants “nothing to do with” Sajid’s body.

When a body is refused in NSW by family or friends, the Local Health District (LHD) where the death took place becomes responsible for the destitute body.

When a body is deemed destitute, in some instances, a funeral is provided, whilst in others, only a burial or cremation is completed.

Costs arising from a funeral, burial or cremation are then invoiced and paid by the LHD.

As Akram died in Bondi, the South Eastern Sydney LHD will be responsible for costs, something which will have to be covered by either Government funding or funds raised by LHD fundraising.

Verena claims that in the six months prior to the deadly Bondi attack, Sajid had been living in multiple homes, including Airbnb properties.

It is understood that Sajid’s body is still being held at the coroner’s office.

South Eastern Sydney LHD has responded to The Nightly’s request for comment, however, it has not yet provided a statement.

During those reported six months apart, Sajid Akram travelled to the Philippines. Authorities are investigating a one-month trip in November where Sajid and his son Naveed were allegedly involved in “training”.

The area the two allegedly travelled to in the Philippines, Mindanao, is reportedly a hotbed of ISIS camps run by the Islamic State of East Asia, a designated terrorist organisation by the Australian Government.

After returning from the Philippines, it is understood that Sajid was staying at a short-term rental in Campsie. CCTV later showed Sajid leaving the property in a silver Hyundai, before travelling to Bondi Beach.

In February 2024, the Daily Telegraph reports that the Bonnyrigg family home, which had been owned by Sajid and Verena, was transferred solely into her name.

The home, which was reportedly originally purchased for $700,000, was transferred to Verna at a value of $477,500.

If any victims of the Bondi attack were to launch civil action against Sajid’s estate, assets from the home would not be available due to its ownership by Verena.

NSW Police have not identified Verena as a person of interest, and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing or that she was aware of a planned attack.

Since the shooting, Verena has spoken out, saying her son Naveed, the alleged 24-year-old gunman, was a “good boy”, and expressed shock that her family were involved.

Naveed has since been charged with over 50 offences over his alleged involvement in the Bondi Beach terror attack.

She told the Sydney Morning Herald that her son phoned her claiming to be on a weekend away in Jervis Bay on the NSW south coast before the shooting.