Play
Teenager arrested over knife murder of female Saudi student
Police search the scene at Salary Brook Trail in Colchester , Essex, where Nahid Almanea was attacked
Detectives investigating the murder of a Saudi Arabian student are questioning a 19-year-old man who was initially arrested over a separate attack.
Nahid Almanea died after she was stabbed 16 times while walking along a path in Colchester, Essex, on Tuesday morning.
The 31-year-old had been taking an English language course at the University of Essex since January as part of her studies for a life sciences PhD.
Essex Police said the man was arrested shortly after midnight in connection with a separate assault. His arrest followed a report from a woman that while she was jogging near Peache Road, Colchester, at around 10pm, on June 19, a man had approached her and tried to grab her.
She was able to fight him off and made her way home and then immediately contacted police.
A police spokesman said: "Following further enquiries he was then further arrested shortly after 4pm today in connection with the murder investigation.
"He remains in custody for questioning."
The police statement comes amid fears a serial attacker may be responsible for the killing. Police have said their are "obvious similarities" between Ms Almanea's death and that of James Attfield, a vulnerable man with brain damage who died after being stabbed more than 100 times in a park in Colchester in March.
Officers said there are many possible motives, including the fact Ms Almanea was wearing full Muslim dress.
Most Read
- Former IRA man claims Martin McGuinness supplied car used for Co Fermanagh bombing
- Rory Best to pay 'substantial' damages to Paddy Jackson's defence lawyers over rape trial interview
- NI energy users set for £17m payout after ‘over-recovery’
- BBC ordered to disclose documents in Spotlight ‘bullying’ case
- Man in his 50s riding motorbike dies following Co Down crash
Top Videos
Play
Play
Play
Latest UK
- R Kelly to be sentenced for charges of racketeering and sex-trafficking
- Best turnout for British players in Wimbledon second round in 25 years
- R Kelly: The R&B superstar and sex-trafficker
- Johnson: If Putin were a woman he would not have started Ukraine war
- Lace said to have shrouded Queen Victoria’s coffin to be auctioned
Latest
- R Kelly to be sentenced for charges of racketeering and sex-trafficking
- Best turnout for British players in Wimbledon second round in 25 years
- R Kelly: The R&B superstar and sex-trafficker
- Maori All Blacks v Ireland: Five Ulstermen named in midweek squad for first game of summer tour
- Aries June 29 today's free daily star sign horoscope by Russell Grant