POLICE have warned residents in Colchester to stay vigilant after admitting they "do not know" whether same killer is responsible for murders of James Attfield and Nahid Almanea.
A criminal profiler from the National Crime Agency has analysed and compared evidence in the killings of Mr Attfield in March, who was stabbed more than 100 times, and that of Saudi Arabian student Nahid Almanea on June 17 to see whether the pair are linked.
Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Worron said: "We do not yet know whether the murders of Nahid Almanea and James Attfield have been committed by the same person or people.
"A decision has been taken that they remain separate but parallel investigations at this time.
"However the circumstances of both crimes mean that we must consider the possibility that the same killer or killers are responsible.
"We are continuing to explore this line of enquiry, along with many others, and both investigations are being continually resourced and are receiving equal precedence.
"A command structure has been put in place to ensure that the relevance of any evidence uncovered in respect of either murder is considered by both enquiries."
Police have received more than 100 calls from the public offering information on both murders so far but are still appealing for information on the following people.
Officers wish to speak to a man who was seen running up Hewes Close at around 10.56am on the day Nahid was murdered.He was initially seen coming out of an alleyway which indirectly links to the Salary Brook Trail, where the 31-year-old was found.
The man was white, aged between 18 and 25, of medium build and with dark hair. He was wearing a long sleeve plain hooded top that is described as London bus red and dark trousers.
Another man is also wanted for questioning by police in connection with an attack on a woman in Peache Road, in Colchester, at around 10pm on Thursday June 19.
The location of this attack, and some aspects of it, including reports that a knife was seen and the victim was a woman, mean that this suspect is also of interest to the Almanea investigation.
He is described as being white, in his early 20s, and around 5ft 7in to 5ft 8in tall. He was of medium build and had a narrow face, appeared unwell, and possibly had fair hair.
He was wearing a black hooded top and possibly had on underneath a dark top with a red logo on it.
Anyone with information on either of these people should call 01245 282103.
Superintendent Steve Ditchburn added: "Our advice to people is that we have now had two knife murders in Colchester in less than three months where the motive for the attacks remains unknown. Against that background we would advise everyone in the town to remain vigilant.
"Both of these attacks were on lone people who were in locations where it appears no one else was nearby at the time.
"For that reason we would remind people to take sensible precautions to stay safe. This includes avoiding any situations in which you could find yourself isolated and alone in a public area."
For further tips head to the Be Safe section of the Essex Police website at www.essex.police.uk.
