Crimestoppers has offered a £10,000 reward in the hope of solving the murder of Nahid Al-Manea. 

Essex Police is holding a press conference with the crime fighting charity and Essex University at 1pm today. 

Nahid Almenea was found on a footpath on land off Avon Way just before 10.40am on the morning of Tuesday June 17. 

It is believed that Nahid left her home in Woodrow Way and then made her way down across Avon Way onto the Salary Brook Trail. She was attacked along Salary Brook Trail at around 10.40am.

The Saudi Arabian national, who was living in Colchester while she studied at the University of Essex, was wearing a dark navy blue full length robe, called an Abaya, and a patterned multi-coloured headscarf, known as a Hijab. She also had with her a black bag, with orange panels, which she was carrying on a shoulder strap.

 

Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers, said: "The murder of Nahid has left Colchester residents feeling shocked, saddened and distressed. However, during this time of immense tragedy the whole community can unite in helping Essex Police find the person or persons responsible for this horrific murder. I would urge anyone with information no matter how insignificant they feel it might be or anyone with niggling suspicions they are unsure of to contact us anonymously safe in the knowledge that their identity will not be revealed. And please tell others that there is this safe alternative to pass on information about crime if they do not want to speak directly to Police."

She added: "You have nothing to fear by giving us information as we never ask for your name or take any personal details. We don’t record our calls and can’t trace calls/computers. Those giving information won’t have to go onto to give a statement to police or go to court. You don’t even have to speak to someone if you don’t want to – you can give information online. It really is quick, safe and easy. And, it could be vital in helping police to bring this person or persons to justice. In over 25 years we have never revealed anyone’s identity."

Crimestoppers are also increasing their previous reward of up to £5,000 for information on the murder of James Attfield to £10,000. Police do not yet know whether the murders of Nahid Almanea and James Attfield have been committed by the same person or people.

Ms Scott added "I live in this community myself. I am reassured by the extra Police presence and know that Essex Police are doing everything possible to find the person or persons responsible for both murders. However, it is natural to feel nervous about what has happened in Colchester and this is why we are increasing the reward for information on the murder of James Attfield. Please come forward with any information you have and give these two families some answers. Somebody somewhere knows who took these innocent people’s life."

If you have any information on either incident please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through our anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Please note that rewards will only be payable for information passed to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Information passed to Crimestoppers via their online secure form at www.crimestoppers-uk.orgor given directly to Police will not qualify. If the two murders are positively linked by Police then the claimant will only be eligible to claim up to £10,000.

Braintree and Witham Times: Police search the scene at Salary Brook Trail in Colchester , Essex, where Nahid Almanea was attacked

At the conference Richard Barnard, Head of the International Academy at the University of Essex, said: "Our University community is still shocked and deeply upset following the death of Nahid. Our sense of outrage has not diminished.
"We are doing everything we can to support Essex Police in finding the person responsible and also working extremely closely with them to provide support and reassurance to our students.
"Nahid had shown herself to be an exceptional student on our English Language Programme since joining the University of Essex in January this year.
"She was very focused, always positive and had an inner self-belief.
"Her quiet determination to succeed, her hard work and her enthusiasm for her studies had really impressed her teachers.
"Outside of the class, Nahid was always friendly, considerate and thoughtful with a very polite and courteous manner.
"She was making very good progress and her confidence was visibly growing. In fact she had just achieved the highest score in her class for her most recent grammar and vocabulary test, although we did not get the chance to share this with her.
"She clearly had so much to offer and was looking forward to going on to study Life Sciences at PhD level.
"Our English Language Programme is like one big family and brings together students from around the world. Because of the friendship, trust and respect which exist between our teaching staff and our students, the loss of Nahid has had a profound impact on us all. We are all incredibly saddened by this tragic incident.
"Our University is a strong international and multicultural community and we will continue to stand together to honour the memory of such a talented member of our community who is missed by all who knew her."

 

See below for the latest updates from the conference.