The circumstances surrounding how 28-year-old Mirahaban Asaad came to be in the river remain unknown
19:31, 08 Apr 2026Updated 11:05, 09 Apr 2026
The man was found dead in the River Taff in July last year (Image: Richard Swingler)
A man was found dead in the River Taff in Cardiff after suffering mental health problems linked to his asylum application being denied, an inquest heard. The body of Mirahaban Asaad, who was originally from Iraq but had been living in Cardiff at the time of his death, was found in the river in July 2024.
Pontypridd Coroners’ Court heard the 28-year-old had come to reside in the UK in 2019 and applied for asylum. The application was denied.
Area Coroner Patricia Morgan said Mr Asaad “had a brief documented history of suffering with depression and suicidal ideation, mainly attributed to his personal living circumstances and residential status”.
He was found in the River Taff near the Curran Embankment in Butetown on July 31, 2024 and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The inquest heard that Mr Asaad died as a result of immersion in water. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here
Ms Morgan said that while the exact circumstances of how Mr Asaad entered the river are unknown, “given his recent mental health history, it is more likely than not that he entered the water with the intention of ending his own life”.
Ms Morgan recorded a conclusion of suicide. The medical cause of death was given as immersion in water.
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