In the summer of 2021, a deeply unsettling event shattered the peace of a Pennsylvania community, leaving a family devastated and a suspect on the run. The life of 28-year-old Junaid Akhlas, a male resident of Beaver County, was abruptly cut short on July 20th in what would become a harrowing tale of betrayal and violence. Of South Asian descent, Junaid was a devoted father to his young son and a man described by friends as kind and hardworking.
He had come to the United States from Pakistan in search of a safer life and a brighter future for his family.
The tragic story began to unfold when Junaid's family grew concerned after he failed to return home. He had left the previous evening to give his cousin, 25-year-old Anoosh Almas, a ride to the Pittsburgh International Airport. When Junaid could not be reached, his family initiated a frantic search, which led them to a grim discovery at an abandoned Texaco gas station in Moon Township, near Coraopolis. There, they found Junaid's car and, inside the trunk, his lifeless body. He had been shot in the head.
The investigation quickly zeroed in on Anoosh Almas as the primary suspect. Evidence gathered by the Allegheny County police painted a chilling picture of the events that transpired. License plate readers indicated that Junaid's car had been in the vicinity of the airport but never entered the premises. Investigators believe that after the murder, Almas drove to a nearby Super 8 motel. A Lyft driver later told police he had picked up a man from the motel who had discarded a shopping bag in a trash can. Inside that bag, police found bloody clothing. Further investigation revealed that a gun registered to Almas was discovered behind the abandoned gas station where Junaid's body was found.
With mounting evidence against him, authorities issued an arrest warrant for Anoosh Almas, charging him with criminal homicide, theft by unlawful taking, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, and firearms violations. However, the pursuit of justice would prove to be a significant challenge. Security footage from the Pittsburgh International Airport showed Almas getting out of a Lyft and, tragically, it was discovered that he had boarded a flight to Cancun, Mexico, just hours after the murder. The international border provided a shield for the suspect, complicating efforts to bring him to justice.
In the years that have followed, the search for Anoosh Almas has continued, with the U.S. Marshals Service leading the manhunt. Billboards with his face and information about the case have been displayed in the Pittsburgh area, offering a reward for information leading to his capture. For Junaid's grieving family, the pain of their loss is compounded by the knowledge that the man accused of his murder remains at large. His wife, who has since relocated with their son, has spoken of the profound void left by her husband's death and her unwavering hope for justice. As of early 2026, Anoosh Almas is still considered a fugitive, and the case remains an open and painful chapter for all who knew and loved Junaid Akhlas.
