Tooba Mohammad Yahya was born in Afghanistan in 1969. She became the second wife of Mohammad Shafia in a polygamous marriage after his first wife, Rona Amir Mohammad, was unable to bear children. Tooba and Mohammad had seven children together. The family moved from Afghanistan in 1992, living in various countries before settling in Montreal, Canada, in 2007.

Within the household, Tooba was seen as the dominant wife, while Rona was reportedly treated as a servant. The family maintained strict cultural and religious practices, with Tooba playing a significant role in upholding these traditions and enforcing discipline among the children.

On June 30, 2009, Tooba, along with her husband Mohammad and son Hamed, orchestrated the murders of her three daughters—Zainab, Sahar, and Geeti—and her co-wife Rona. The motive was rooted in the belief that the daughters had brought dishonor to the family by defying traditional values, including dating and dressing in Western styles.

The victims were drowned and placed in a car, which was then submerged in the Rideau Canal in Kingston, Ontario. Initially staged as an accident, the investigation revealed the premeditated nature of the crime. Wiretap evidence captured Tooba expressing disdain for her daughters' behaviors.

During the trial, Tooba maintained her innocence, claiming she was a loving mother. However, the jury found her guilty of four counts of first-degree murder. She was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for 25 years.