Detectives investigating the murder of Saudi Arabian student in Colchester have reported making progress in their hunt for the killer as they appeal for more key witnesses to come forward.

Essex Police’s Det Chief Supt Steve Worron said ongoing appeals had helped build a more detailed picture of those near the Salary Brook Trail near Greenstead when Nahid Almanea was stabbed 16 times on Tuesday, June 17.

“We are making progress with our investigation into the death of Nahid Almanea,” he said.

“Each time we issue an appeal we get many calls into our incident room and which is helping us to build up a more detailed picture of those who were on or near the Salary Brook Trail in Colchester at the time of her murder.

“Two weeks on, my officers have been back to the area near the Salary Brook Trail and to the University of Essex to talk to people who may have been in the area.

“The information being given to officers will help to piece together some vital details that will help us to find the person or people responsible for her death.”

Det Chief Supt Worron’s latest appeal for possible witnesses includes a woman, thought to be in her early 20s, with light brown hair. She is described as being around 5ft 7ins tall and was wearing a summer dress and a denim jacket.

Officers would also like to speak to a white man, aged between 19 and 23-years-old, with blond hair. He is thought to be English and was wearing a back pack and white headphones. Witnesses describe him as looking like a student.

Another is a white man, also thought to be a student, who had dark, short hair. He was wearing light trousers and was using a phone.

The final appeal is to trace a black man who was wearing a forward facing cap and a back pack. He was also wearing a dark blue and yellow striped polo top.

Anyone with information is asked to call Essex Police on 01245 282103 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Crimestoppers has offered a reward of £10,000 to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of Nahid Almanea.