In Karachi, the death of 25-year-old Mir Raza Ali Khan, a former IBA student and aspiring businessman, has left investigators caught between mounting evidence of suicide and nagging forensic gaps. Nearly a week after his body was found with a gunshot wound to the chest, police have disclosed that while much points to self-inflicted death, key questions—like the missing weapon and lack of gunshot residue—remain unresolved. Main Developments Raza's body was recovered from bushes near Shahi Qila in Gulistan-i-Jauhar, opposite the University of Karachi, two days after he went missing and was allegedly kidnapped from his PECHS home. Investigators now say that despite the kidnapping claim, their focus has shifted toward suicide, based on a reconstruction of his final hours. According to an official familiar with the probe, Raza returned home early one morning after closing his shop at Bahadurabad Chowrangi, then went back to his office to retrieve a pistol. He left his car and house keys, his watch, and some cash for his mother, and deleted all data from his iPhone before going offline. Read also: Pims fake MLC scandal sparks calls for forensic reform He then hired an online cab, asked the driver to play his favorite song, and paid double the fare—details confirmed by the driver's statement. CCTV footage from the drop-off point shows Raza roaming alone, with no one else accompanying him, and his phone later turned up in the hands of a person who inserted a SIM card, leading to its recovery. Background Raza, an aspiring businessman, was reportedly facing severe financial strain. He had suffered losses amounting to millions of rupees in investments and was expected to return money invested by others. One investor told police that Raza had requested a Rs30 million loan due to financial difficulties, but the request was declined. In that conversation, Raza allegedly mentioned having "weird thoughts," and his fiancée described him as "obsessed" with Bitcoin investments. She also told investigators she had sent him a message late that night, but he was already offline and never received it. The case first emerged as an alleged kidnapping, but the evidence pieced together so far—his deliberate actions, deleted data, and last known movements—has led investigators to lean toward suicide. The holster for his pistol was found hanging from a tree along the route to where his body was discovered. Why It Matters The unresolved questions in this case highlight the challenges of forensic investigation in Pakistan, where decomposed bodies and missing evidence can blur the line between murder and suicide. For the public, the case raises concerns about how such deaths are classified and whether all leads are being pursued. For Raza's family and friends, who have gathered at Teen Talwar demanding justice, the outcome will determine whether they receive closure or face prolonged uncertainty. The investigation also holds broader implications for how financial distress and mental health are recognized in such cases. What's Next Investigators are now analyzing call record data, family background, and friendships, while reviewing all available CCTV footage. They remain hopeful of resolving the case "within a very short time," though no official deadline has been set. The recovery of the pistol remains a priority, as its absence is a key doubt. Forensic experts have noted that gunshot residue might have been undetectable due to partial decomposition, but this has not fully satisfied investigators.