Was footpath woman killed because she was wearing Muslim robes? Police probe after Saudi victim was attacked in park

A woman who died after being attacked on a footpath may have been targeted because of her Muslim dress, police have said.

The woman, who was in her early 30s, was wearing a navy blue full-length robe called an Abaya and a multi-coloured hijab headscarf when she was set upon at 10.40am yesterday.

Today, police revealed she was a Saudi Arabian student.

Paramedics tried to save her but she died at the scene in Colchester from head and body injuries.

But she added: 'We are conscious that the dress of the victim will have identified her as likely being a Muslim and this is one of the main lines of the investigation but again there is no firm evidence at this time that she was targeted because of her religion.'

A 52-year-old man from the Colchester area was arrested last night in connection with the incident.

Detectives are now appealing for witnesses who used the trail between 8.30am and 11am that day.

They have also asked residents to check their gardens and rubbish bins for any discarded weapons or blood stained clothing.

The victim is believed to have left her home in a nearby street before joining the path shortly before her death.

Ms Hawkings said: 'We have not yet been able to formally identify the victim but we believe we know who she is and specially trained family liaison officers are speaking with her family now.

Similar: Police conceded that the incident bears similarities to the murder of James Attfield, pictured with his mother Julie Finch, who was stabbed in March

'A forensic post-mortem is due to be carried out this afternoon to establish the cause of death but at this time it would appear that a knife or other bladed weapon was used in this attack.

'The victim also suffered facial injuries but the cause of these has yet to be established.

'We have no further detail on the murder weapon or weapons at this time but if anyone comes across any suspicious items which they think could be connected to this murder we would ask them to call us.'

Yesterday, police launched a search of the area using sniffer dogs and a helicopter with thermal imaging equipment.

A police cordon was set up around the area as forensics officers began work.

One local resident said: 'It’s a terrible thing to happen but it can be quite rough around here.

'I just hope they get to the bottom of what happened.'

The woman was found on the Salary Brook Trail on the outskirts of Colchester. The footpath was cordoned off by police today.

Officers are also looking at possible links with the murder of James Attfield, a vulnerable man with brain damage who died after being stabbed more than 100 times at a park in the town in March.

'There are some immediate similarities between this murder and that of James Attfield but there are also a large number of differences as well,' she said.

'There is no current known motive for this attack and we are keeping an open mind and exploring all possible avenues of investigation.'

Officers will be carrying out additional patrols in the area.

Anyone with any information should contact the major investigation team on 01245 282103, Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source: Daily Mail