Crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers has offered a reward of up to £10,000 for information passed to them which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of a 31-year-old woman from Colchester.

Nahid Almenea was found on a footpath on land off Avon Way just before 10.40am on June 17. She had been stabbed a number of times.

It is believed that she 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.

“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.

“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.

Richard Barnard, Head of the International Academy at the University of Essex said at today’s press conference held into the murder of the 31-year-old: “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 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.

“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.”

Crimestoppers are also increasing their previous reward of up to £5,000 for information on the murder of James Attfield to £10,000.

The regional manager at the charity added: “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.”

Police do not yet know whether the murders of Nahid Almanea and James Attfield have been committed by the same person or people.

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

Rewards will only be payable for information passed to Crimestoppers over the phone. Information passed to Crimestoppers via their online secure form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or 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.