‘So many questions’: ‘Abdi’ Sharif’s family left wondering how the 18-year-old died

Despite the unseasonably chilly rain Tuesday afternoon, very few people at Abdullahi “Abdi” Sharif’s burial waited inside their cars until the ceremony started. 

Two- or three-dozen family and friends stood underneath the 50-degree weather and drizzle to pay their respects to Sharif, an 18-year-old who was missing for more than three months before his body was found in the Des Moines River. A beautiful green cloth was laid across his casket before it was lowered into a graveyard west of the nearly built Islamic and Cultural Center Bosniak in Granger.

The discovery of Sharif’s body Saturday may have closed a chapter in the Des Moines teenager’s life, but his story is not over, his family says.

Relatives say questions linger about what led up to his death and why a young man afraid of water would be found in one of Iowa’s largest rivers.

“Abdullahi … never liked water. He ended up in the water and we don’t know what happened,”  Sharif’s uncle, Ahmed Hashi, said Tuesday. “There’s so many questions that need to be answered.”

Abdullahi “Abdi” Sharif

State Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, who has helped guide the family through the investigation process, said if someone in the community can fill in the blanks of what happened between 5:30 p.m. Jan. 17 when Sarif was last seen and when he ended up in the water, they need to come forward.

Two search parties were organized and thousands of dollars were donated to a reward fund for anyone who could bring forward information about Sharif.

“We have closure on one end but we have a whole gate that opened on another,” Abdul-Samad said. “Now we have closure on this end, we also need to have closure on the other end — of why and how and who was involved.”

Sharif’s autopsy results are pending, according to the Polk County Medical Examiner. A cause of death has not been determined. Police say there were no obvious signs of trauma when Sharif’s body was found, and the investigation continues.

Abdul-Samad said Sharif’s death is another reminder that youth’s lives need to be protected in Des Moines. He said he does not know if any violence led to Sharif’s death, but the family is not ruling anything out. They hired private investigator Stephanie Kinney to assist in the search, and she will continue investigating his death.

The family is hopeful police will work with Kinney to find out what happened in the hours leading up to Sharif’s death, Abdul-Samad said.

 Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said officers have been following up on leads Kinney or others have provided. He said it’s important for police to work with family, friends and neighbors to help address any issues a young person may be facing before it ends in tragedy.

Sharif is remembered as a mature, goal-oriented teen with dreams of being a computer engineer — an accomplishment he believed could uplift his family and bring pride to fellow Somalis everywhere. He was like a father-figure in his home, though he wasn’t the oldest sibling.

His family came to Des Moines from Massachusetts after emigrating there in 2006, his mother Fadumo Ahmed said. Sharif spent about half his life in central Iowa. This was home, his family says.

“Abdullahi was very happy at home and a loving boy,” Hashi, 34, said. “He had a loving family, the biggest smile. We miss that part.” 

Only 10 people were allowed inside the Islamic center prior to Sharif’s funeral to adhere to bans on gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His loved ones stood by as his gravesite was made in front of the nearly built mosque at the Islamic and Cultural Center Bosniak in Granger. Relatives said they were thankful to have the venue. It was one of the only mosques available because of coronavirus concerns.

Siat Bulle, 43, stepfather of Abdullahi “Abdi” Sharif, center, helps carry him to his final resting place in the cemetery at the Islamic and Cultural Center Bosniak of Des Moines on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Granger. Sharif had been missing since January and his body was found on Saturday in the Des Moines River at Prospect Park. (Photo: Brian Powers/The Register) 

Hundreds would show up for the Roosevelt High School senior if the funeral were public, Abdul-Samad said.

At 5 p.m. Wednesday a memorial including a balloon release will be held at a location to be determined, the family said. They’re looking for places with enough space to house dozens of cars so they can adhere to social distancing guidelines.

“We are thankful for everybody who supported us in the search party and people who sent us messages and condolences just know we’re thankful,” Hashi said before Tuesday’s funeral. “The case is not closed yet.” 

Sharif was last seen on video surveillance around 5:30 p.m. Jan. 17 walking out of the Target store, 5901 Douglas Ave., where he worked. He was also captured on video walking through the nearby AT&T parking lot.

Cell towers last pinged his cellphone Jan. 17 near a bridge along Euclid Avenue over the Des Moines River, Parizek said Monday. The phone was shut off shortly after he went missing.

“We all are not happy. We lost our son,” Hashi said. “Not only my family … but all of (the) Des Mones area lost a kid that could be our future.”

The family is still encouraging the public to come forward with tips. Those with information are encouraged to contact Des Moines police and Kinney, the private investigator.

Even if the missing-person search is over, they don’t want Sharif to be forgotten.

“It’s Ramadan … I had been praying for an answer, even if it’s a body,” his sister Ifrah Muhumed said. “At least we can bury him.”

Donations for the family can be made at GoFundMe.com.