An American couple have spoken publicly for the first time about taking in Sharif Ahmadzai, an Afghan migrant teenager they had "adopted" into their home, after he was accused of murdering a British missionary and stuffing her body into a suitcase. The couple say they welcomed the traumatised young man believing they were offering him safety and a fresh start, only for him to later be implicated in a killing that has shocked both communities. Their decision to break their silence comes as the case draws wider scrutiny over how vulnerable migrants are vetted and supported by host families.

The couple describe Ahmadzai as deeply traumatised when he arrived, and explain the circumstances that led them to bring him into their household, though the Daily Mail report does not detail the specific allegations, evidence or current legal status of the case against him. The article centres on the hosts' personal account of trust and shock rather than on courtroom developments, leaving key facts about the victim, the alleged murder and any charges unclear from the available text.