Mahek Bukhari

Mahek Bukhari (مہک بخاری), known professionally as May B, is a former social media influencer known for her presence on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram where she shared lifestyle, beauty, and fashion content as well as collaborating with businesses and other notable individuals.

In February 2022, Mahek Bukhari and her mother, Ansreen Bukhari, were involved in a high-speed chase on the A46 that resulted in the death of 2 individuals.

In turn, she was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 31 years imprisonment.

Bukhari was born in the United States in 1999 to parents of Pakistani descent, who emigrated to Stoke-on-Trent, UK in 2002 when she was 3 years old.

She released her first vlog-style documentary; My Trip to Istanbul on 1 November 2017.

As a result of her highly publicised conviction, Bukhari was the subject of Episode 24 of BBC's The Big Cases titled "Deadly Influence" (2023) and was featured in the 3-part ITVX's docuseries; TikTok: Murder Gone Viral (2024), which received mixed reviews from critics.

Bukhari started university in 2017 to study fashion at Manchester Metropolitan University, her social media content followed a year later and often reflected her educational background and personal interests.

She eventually dropped out of university to focus on her social media career.

Her posts and videos frequently showcased her engaging in various activities, from partying in Manchester to dancing to music clips in her family's home.

She also used her social influence to customise average-looking trainers into designer footwear and promoted this on her social media.

Prior to her legal troubles, Mahek Bukhari was known as an emerging online personality.

She had cultivated a significant following across several social media platforms, where she shared content related to makeup, lifestyle, and fashion.

Bukhari's presence on TikTok was particularly notable, with over 150,000 followers.

Additionally, she had amassed 50,000 followers on Instagram and a recently launched YouTube channel with 5000 subscribers, signalling her growing influence beyond her immediate circle.

In February 2022, Mahek Bukhari and her mother, Ansreen Bukhari, were implicated in a criminal case that garnered significant public attention.

Before this incident, Mahek was recognized for her presence on social media.

The case centered around Ansreen Bukhari's concealed relationship with a younger man, Saqib Hussain.

Initially private, the relationship devolved into a complex situation marked by intense emotions, and coercive threats, and ultimately resulted in a grievous incident involving the deaths of two individuals.

The situation escalated when Ansreen sought to conclude her relationship with Hussain, who responded by threatening to disclose their affair to her family using sexually explicit images if Ansreen, Mahek's mother, didn't give him a sum of £3,000.

Mahek also stated that Hussain would create "fake social media accounts" and edit the faces of the pair onto pictures of nude models as part of his coercion.

Mahek and her mother, in reaction, devised a strategy to confront Hussain in order to get his mobile phone and delete the sexually explicit content he had of Ansreen on his phone.

This strategy reached its tragic conclusion on the night of 11 February 2022, resulting in a high-speed pursuit on the A46 dual carriageway.

The chase culminated in a catastrophic collision that resulted in the fatalities of Hussain and his companion, Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin.

Mahek Bukhari was convicted of murder and received a life sentence from Leicester Crown Court on 1 September 2023, with a stipulation that she serve a minimum term of 31 years and eight months.

The presiding judge remarked on Bukhari's attitude and the consequences of her behaviour, characterizing the act as "cold-blooded."

The trial concluded with life sentences for co-defendants Rekan Karwan and Raees Jamal, in addition to manslaughter convictions for three other individuals involved.

The proceedings and their outcomes have deeply affected the victims' families, prompting widespread discussion on the role of social media in shaping personal relationships and influencing criminal activities.

After the ruling, it was reported that Bukhari would appeal her case, however, this hasn't been done.

Bukhari and her mother, Ansreen, were featured in episode 24 of the BBC documentary series The Big Cases titled "Deadly Influence" released on 01 September 2023, which highlighted her social media career and downfall, along with a following of her conviction.

Episode 1 of TikTok: Murder Gone Viral is a 3-part documentary series by ITV released on 28 January 2024 which covers TikTok's role on Bukhari's involvement in her legal case.

Bukhari was also featured on the poster of the documentary series.