A woman shared the story of her vegan sister who ceased posting images of her child on social media, leading to the tragic discovery that the boy had died due to starvation. Naiyahmi Yasharahyalah, 43, received a 19-year and six-month sentence, while her husband, Tai-Zamarai Yasharahyalah, 42, was sentenced to 24 years after their son, four-year-old Abiyah, was found buried in their former residence in Birmingham. The couple’s extreme dietary choices and rejection of conventional medicine had devastating consequences for Abiyah, as forensic experts uncovered signs of severe neglect and cruelty in his remains in December 2022.
Abiyah’s death was determined to have occurred in 2020. During the trial, it emerged that Naiyahmi and Tai-Zamarai followed the teachings of Royal Ahayah’s Witness, a little-known religious group, consuming only fruits, nuts, and seeds as part of their faith.
When Abiyah’s body was unearthed, it revealed severe malnutrition, rickets, anaemia, stunted growth, bone abnormalities, fractures, dental decay, infections, and compromised immunity. Naiyahmi’s sister, Cassie Rowe, 47, noticed a change when her sister stopped sharing pictures of Abiyah online, prompting her to voice concerns to their mother, who advised contacting Naiyahmi.
Cassie described the strained family dynamic with Naiyahmi, recounting a brief conversation in early 2021 where health issues were discussed but Abiyah was not mentioned. The family was informed of Abiyah’s discovery by the police in 2022, causing initial disagreements among relatives on how to approach the situation.
In court, both Naiyahmi and Tai-Zamarai denied responsibility for Abiyah’s death, attributing their actions to cultural beliefs. However, the judge ruled that the couple had neglected Abiyah by failing to provide proper nourishment and medical attention.
Photos from 2019 displayed Abiyah’s deteriorating health, with visible signs of deficiency and fractures. Recently, the family was able to lay Abiyah to rest after enduring legal battles. Cassie initiated a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to purchase a headstone for Abiyah’s unmarked grave, aiming to give him a dignified resting place.
The initiative has garnered significant support, raising £1,680 of the £1,800 target.