Convenience store worker missing since 2020 reappears ‘safe and well’ — days after 5 arrested for his ‘murder’
Ismail Ali, who was 46 at the time, disappeared under suspicious circumstances after finishing up his shift at Gulam Food Stores in northern England in May 2020, police said. West Yorkshire Police / SWNS
A UK convenience store worker who disappeared five years ago has been found “safe and well,” police confirmed—just days after several people were arrested on suspicion of his murder.
Ismail Ali, 46 at the time, vanished in May 2020 after finishing his shift at Gulam Food Stores in Bradford, northern England. His disappearance remained a mystery for years, with authorities unable to trace his whereabouts.
On Monday, West Yorkshire Police announced the arrest of five individuals—three women, aged 47, 54, and 55, and two men, aged 27 and 51—suspected of involvement in Ali’s supposed murder. “After extensive inquiries, we now suspected that Ismail Ali was no longer alive and may have been murdered,” a spokesperson said, describing the arrests as a “significant development” in the case.
In a surprising twist, Ali later appeared at a local police station, confirming he was alive. “Detectives investigating the suspicious disappearance of Bradford man Ismail Ali in 2020 can confirm he turned up at a police station reporting to be safe and well,” West Yorkshire Police said.
Authorities are now working to understand the circumstances behind his disappearance. “Mr. Ali’s family have been notified that he has been found safe and well and is being safeguarded while necessary checks are being made,” the spokesperson added.
Police have not disclosed where Ali has been during the past five years. It remains unclear whether the search warrants executed on Monday were directly related to his disappearance or to other alleged offenses.
During the searches at three properties, a large sum of cash was seized. Some of the five arrested individuals are now on bail in connection with money laundering charges. “Enquiries into the money laundering offenses will continue for some time,” a police spokesperson said.
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