Video: Police issue description of man they want to talk to in relation to murder of student Nahid Almanea in Colchester

Essex Police search the area near Scarfe Way in Colchester in relation to the murder of Nahid Almanea.

Meanwhile officers are continuing to carry out searches in the area of Salary Brook Trail, Colchester, where the 31-year-old was found dead on Tuesday.

As well as Essex officers, there is a “significant deployment” of specialist major crime detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate and counterparts from the Metropolitan Police Service.

Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Worron: “We have yet to recover any knife or other bladed weapon with a proven link to the murder of Nahid.

“One of the three fishing lakes close to the scene has been drained and specialist officers are now searching at that location for any items of significance to the police enquiry. The other two lakes will also be drained and searched.

“We are continuing to urge residents in Colchester to check their gardens, hedges, rubbish bins, and communal areas around flats for any trace of any discarded weapons or blood stained clothing or footwear.”

Det Ch Sup Worron also said they had received information from witnesses about a man who was seen on the Salary Brook Trail between 10.20am and 10.40am, shortly before Nahid was found.

“He was walking from the direction of the university towards the Greenstead estate,” he said. “He has not yet come forward and we urgently need to speak with him.

“He is described as being aged in his late teens to 30. He had very black, thick hair which was quite short and a two to three inch mop style on top. He was clean shaven, of average build, tanned appearance and was not wearing glasses.

“He was wearing baggy trousers, which may have been lightweight cotton.

“He was also wearing a very distinctive jacket which is described as being an Italian designer item, it was slightly longer than waist-length, had brown buttons up the front and two pockets also with buttons. It was beige in colour, and had a belt which may or may not have had a buckle.

“We have issued a picture of a very similar jacket which we would ask people to look at – although the material could either be suede as in the picture or leather.

“Are you this person or do you know who he is? If so call us on 01245 282103 now. We have people waiting for your call.”

Det Ch Sup warren also urged other people who would have been using the Salary Brook Trail before Nahid was murdered to get in touch.

“We have also been very encouraged by the response we received to yesterday’s appeals,” he continued. “A number of callers have contacted us about the man who was seen running up Hewes Close away from the Salary Brook Trail at 10.56am.

“Those calls are being followed up and we are conducting further house to house enquiries around that individual today.

“If you believe you saw this man or you know who he is and have not yet spoken to us please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

“He is described as 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. Again call us on 01245 282103 – we are waiting for your calls.

“We would also continue to direct people to the Essex Police website to look at the seven CCTV images in relation to the murder of James Attfield. If you think you know any of these people then call us.”