Police investigating the murder of University of Essex student Nahid Almanea say they have had a great response from the public so far to their appeal for information.

East Anglian Daily Times: Essex Police search the area near Scarfe Way in Colchester in relation to the murder of Nahid Almanea.Essex Police search the area near Scarfe Way in Colchester in relation to the murder of Nahid Almanea.

The Saudi national was walking along the Salary Brook Trail when she was stabbed 16 times on the morning of June 17.

Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Worron said: “The public has been really helpful in coming to us with information, but we still need more.

“Every time we make an appeal we have a surge of calls coming into our incident room. The people of Colchester are working together to help us gather information.”

Officers are now renewing their appeal to trace a man wearing a distinctive beige jacket, who was seen in the area shortly before Nahid’s body was found.

The coat has been described as being an Italian designer item, slightly longer than waist-length, had brown buttons up the front and two pockets, also with buttons.

The man wearing the coat was seen in the Salary Brook Trail between 10.20am and 10.40am. He was walking in the direction of the university towards the Greenstead estate and is in his late teens to 30 with very black, thick hair, which was quite short and had a 2-3ins mop style on top.

He was clean shaven, of average build, tanned appearance and was not wearing glasses.

He wore baggy trousers.

Det Ch Supt Worron added: “People in Colchester can help us. Somebody local may know something that could give us a vital clue. Please come forward and help us find the person responsible for Nahid’s murder.”

If you can help police, call the incident room on 01245 282103 or Crimestoppers on anonymously on 0800 555 111.