Cops: Dad Strangled Daughter Over Divorce

Clayton County police say a daughter's refusal to stay in an arranged marriage led to her death and resulted in her father's arrest. The victim, 25-year-old Sandeela Kanwal, died of strangulation early Sunday.

Authorities allege that 54-year-old Chaudhry Rashid argued with his daughter, then choked her to death. The homicide occurred just after 3 a.m. at the family house in Jonesboro.

Rashid was placed in the Clayton County Jail. His first court appearance had been scheduled for Monday but was postponed until Tuesday.

At that proceeding, Chief Magistrate Daphne Walker learned Rashid's primary language is Urdu, according to The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Walker said an interpreter will be brought in to help with the judicial proceedings.

According to a police report, Kanwal was forced into an arranged marriage in Pakistan a few years ago. Police say Kanwal wanted to leave her husband, which angered her father.

Police say Kanwal's husband now lives in Chicago.