Mahek Bukhari

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Not to be confused with Meher Bukhari.

Mahek Bukhari
Mahek Bukhari in 2021
Born1999[1]
New York, USA
Other namesMay B
EducationManchester Metropolitan University
OccupationsModel and Social media influencer
Years active2017–2023
Known forModelling, Social media content on fashion, beauty and lifestyle
Criminal charge2 counts of Murder
Criminal penaltyLife imprisonment (minimum term of 31 years and 8 months, reduced to 26 years and 285 days on appeal)
Criminal statusIncarcerated
ParentAnsreen Bukhari (mother)

Mahek Bukhari (Urdu: مہک بخاری; born 1999) is a British former model and social media influencer. Known online by the name May B, she built a following through lifestyle, beauty and fashion videos on TikTok and Instagram between 2017 and 2022. Her first vlog, My Trip to Istanbul was released on 1 November 2017.

In 2023, she was convicted of the murders of two men following a car crash in Leicestershire.[2] Subsequently, she appeared in various documentaries and TV shows including The Big Cases (2023), Ray William Johnson: True Crime (2023), and TikTok: Murder Gone Viral (2024), amongst others.

Life and career

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Early life and education: 1999-2016

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Bukhari was born in New York, USA to British Pakistani parents. Her family re-settled back in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire while she was a toddler.[2] Her mother, Ansreen, was a businesswoman who owned a private security company, later became known for her involvement in her daughter’s online career where she appeared alongside her. Bukhari attended Mill Hill Primary Academy and later St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy, in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent.[3][4][5]

At 18, she enrolled at Manchester Metropolitan University to study fashion, however, she did not complete her degree and dropped out, instead choosing to pursue social media work full time.[6]

Career: 2017-2022

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Bukhari began creating content on YouTube and TikTok in 2017 under the handle MayBVlogs. Her videos focused on beauty tutorials, product recommendations, fashion hauls, and lifestyle vlogs. She often collaborated with small and mid-sized fashion brands, including online boutiques and cosmetics companies, promoting items through affiliate links and paid posts.[7] Some of the larger brands she had deals with included PrettyLittleThing, Shein and H&M.[8][9]

On 10 November 2020, she launched her own online retail company, Shoplers Direct, specialising in women’s fashion and accessories, where she served as Director.[10][11]

By 2021, she had gained just shy of 200,000 followers on TikTok and 50,000 followers on Instagram.[8] Her content frequently featured her mother, and the duo became recognised for their dynamic videos showcasing family relationships and contemporary South Asian culture. Several regional lifestyle outlets profiled her as part of a new generation of British influencers from multicultural backgrounds.[12] Bukhari was known for collaborating with Brit Asia TV associates such as Raxstar, whom she used to review and promote restaurant locations with.[13]

Mahek also used to take her mother along to events and parties she was invited to, which often also put Ansreen in the spotlight.[14]

She was featured in local press and online magazines as part of a growing community of British–Asian influencers blending traditional and modern aesthetics.[15] Her content emphasised empowerment, body positivity, and self-confidence, and she described her platform as a place to “inspire young women to express themselves through fashion and creativity.”[16]

Personal life

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Bukhari has spoken in interviews about balancing cultural expectations with an online career, noting that her family initially had reservations about social media as a profession.[17]

Bukhari described herself as a "homebody" who valued time with family and travel experiences. Her early videos and livestreams often included discussions about university life, mental health, and the challenges of influencer culture.[17]

Before her conviction, Bukhari was viewed as part of a new wave of self-made internet personalities who built followings without traditional celebrity pathways. She was described by regional media as “charismatic, confident and business-minded”.[18] After the trial, journalists and commentators discussed the case as an example of the darker pressures of influencer culture, including reputation management and online performance.[6]

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Murder of Saqib Hussain and Hashim Ijazuddin

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In early 2019, Mahek’s mother, Ansreen Bukhari, was involved in a relationship with Saqib Hussain, who was 18 years old at the time and was from Banbury, Oxfordshire. The relationship ended after approximately three years, but Hussain later began contacting Ansreen with repeated demands for money. According to court evidence, he threatened to share intimate photographs and videos of their relationship with her husband and son if she did not pay him £3,000.[19][20]

The prosecution stated that the threats caused distress to Ansreen, and Mahek became involved after learning of the situation. She later messaged friends suggesting she would "get him jumped" (slang for physically assaulting someone), in order to stop the blackmail, though she denied intending serious harm.[21]

On 11 February 2022, Hussain and his friend, Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin, travelled from Banbury to Leicester, believing they would meet with Ansreen to retrieve money and resolve the dispute. Bukhari, her mother, and several associates arranged to confront them in a car park at a Tesco in Hamilton, Leicester. When the men arrived, a pursuit ensued along the A46 dual carriageway involving two cars driven by Bukhari’s friends, an Audi TT and a Seat Leon.[22] During the chase, the victims’ Škoda Fabia was forced off the road at speeds exceeding 100 mph. The vehicle struck the central reservation, split in two and caught fire, killing both occupants instantly.[23]

Trial and conviction

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A ten-week trial at Leicester Crown Court concluded in August 2023. The jury found Mahek and Ansreen Bukhari guilty of two counts of murder. Four other defendants were convicted on related charges, two of murder and three of manslaughter.[24]

On 1 September 2023, Mahek was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 31 years and 8 months, where it was reported that Bukhari cried after being sentenced and blew a kiss to her father and telling him that she loves him.[25][26] The case was highly publicised, and became the subject of one of ITV's most viewed documentary; TikTok: Murder Gone Viral.[27][28]

Appeal

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In October 2025, the Court of Appeal accepted Mahek’s request to reduce her sentence, citing her young age and immaturity at the time of the offence.[25] Mr Justice Lavender and Judge Sylvia De Bertodano found her sentence to be "manifestly excessive" and reduced the minimum term to 26 years and 285 days. It was also found that new evidence of Mr Hussain threatening to release the sexually explicit material he had of Ansreen was brought forward, which was not reflected in the fixing of the minimum term as it should have been.[29] Bukhari will be eligible for parole in 2049.[30][31]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2017 My Trip to Istanbul Herself Travel vlog-style documentary on Istanbul from May B's perspective.[32][33]
2023 The Big Cases: Deadly Influence BBC Documentary, featured in episode 24.[34]
2023 Ray William Johnson: True Crime Featured in episode 34, released on 17 October 2023.[35]
2024 TikTok: Murder Gone Viral ITVX highest viewed documentary, featured in episode 01. Also appears on promotional poster.[36]

Awards

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Year Award Category Result
2019 Brit Asia TV Music Awards Best Social Media Star[37] Won

References

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  1. ^ Skudder, Jake (30 March 2023). "Mahek Bukhari Net Worth 2024: Updated Wealth Of The TikTok Star". HotNewHipHop.
  2. ^ a b "Who is the TikTok influencer Mahek Bukhari?". ITV News. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  3. ^ Andrews, Rob; Bagdi, Annabal (19 October 2025). "The angelic Midlands schoolgirl who grew up to be Tiktok star". Birmingham Live.
  4. ^ Skudder, Jake (30 March 2023). "Mahek Bukhari Net Worth 2024: Updated Wealth Of The TikTok Star". HotNewHipHop.
  5. ^ "Day 13 court updates from murder trial of TikTok's Mahek Bukhari". 15 November 2022.
  6. ^ a b "'Two different lives': how TikTok fame swept up mother and daughter duo". The Guardian. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  7. ^ "Where is Mahek Bukhari now?". Woman & Home. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Get to know Mahek Bukhari - the TikTok star". Leicestershire Live. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  9. ^ "PrettyLittleThing Eid shop: Young Muslims criticise fashion brand". BBC News. 19 April 2023.
  10. ^ "SHOPLERS DIRECT LTD overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk.
  11. ^ "Who is Mahek Bukhari? The TikTok influencer convicted of double murder". Sky News.
  12. ^ "The rise of Mahek Bukhari: Stoke-on-Trent TikTok influencer". Stoke Sentinel. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  13. ^ "MayBVlogs and Raxstar - Eating at the Hungry Ottoman". 21 November 2021.
  14. ^ Murray, Jessica; corespondent, Jessica Murray Midlands (4 August 2023). "'Two different lives': how TikTok fame swept up mother and daughter duo". The Guardian.
  15. ^ "The rise of Mahek Bukhari: Stoke-on-Trent TikTok influencer". Stoke Sentinel. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  16. ^ "The full story behind Mahek Bukhari". The Independent. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  17. ^ a b "'Two different lives': how TikTok fame swept up mother and daughter duo". The Guardian. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  18. ^ "RadioTimes Exclusive: The True Story of Mahek Bukhari". Radio Times. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  19. ^ "'Two different lives': how TikTok fame swept up mother who killed lover". The Guardian. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  20. ^ "TikTok influencer and mother murdered two men in car crash over sex tape blackmail, court hears". Sky News. 1 November 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  21. ^ "TikTok murders documentary: The full story behind Mahek Bukhari case". The Independent. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  22. ^ "TikToker Mahek Bukhari and mum jailed for life for crash murders". BBC News. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  23. ^ "TikTok influencer Mahek Bukhari and her mother found guilty of double murder". The Independent. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  24. ^ "TikToker Mahek Bukhari and mum jailed for life for crash murders". BBC News. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  25. ^ a b "TikTok influencer has double murder sentence reduced". ITV News. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  26. ^ Soteriou, Emma (1 September 2023). "TikTok star Mahek Bukhari blows kiss to dad as she is jailed for life alongside mum for murder of two men in car chase". LBC.
  27. ^ Mensah, Katelyn. "Where is Mahek Bukhari now? TikTok: Murders Gone Viral true story | Radio Times". www.radiotimes.com.
  28. ^ Richardson, Hollie; Seale, Jack; Virtue, Graeme; Catterall, Ali; Wardell, Simon (30 January 2024). "TV tonight: the chilling story of a TikTok influencer convicted of murder". The Guardian.
  29. ^ "TikTok influencer has 'wholly disproportionate' double murder sentence reduced". The Independent. 24 October 2025.
  30. ^ "R v Mahek Bukhari: Court of Appeal grants leave on unlawful act manslaughter base offence". Solicitors Journal. 24 October 2025.
  31. ^ "TikTok influencer jailed with mum for double murder has sentence reduced". 24 October 2025.
  32. ^ "My Trip to Istanbul". 1 November 2017 – via IMDb.
  33. ^ "MY TRIP TO ISTANBUL, TURKEY!!!! || MAY B". November 2017 – via www.youtube.com.
  34. ^ "The Big Cases - Deadly Influence" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  35. ^ "Ray William Johnson: True Crime - Remember May B? She's in Prison Now". 17 October 2023 – via www.youtube.com.
  36. ^ "ITV documentary TikTok: Murder Gone Viral to look at former TikTok star Mahek Bukhari". NationalWorld. 23 January 2024.
  37. ^ Dosanjh, Kiesha (6 November 2019). "INTRODUCING YOUR HOSTS FOR THE BRITASIA TV KUFLINK MUSIC AWARDS!". BritAsia TV. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
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