Police are continuing a massive manhunt for an Afghan national in connection with the brutal murder of his former partner, a Syrian migrant, and her mother.
Janbaz Tarin, 21, is being sought after Raneem Oudeh, 22, who had a two-year-old son, and her mother, Khaola Saleem, 49, were stabbed in Solihull, in the West Midlands.
The victims were found covered in blood in the street with knife wounds after neighbours heard frantic screams.
Tarin is not the father of Raneem’s child and the couple had reportedly recently separated.
Police have appealed directly to Tarin to hand himself in and called on the public to contact detectives with any information they may have.
Tarin is an Afghan citizen who is in the UK legally and Ms Oudeh moved to the UK from Syria around ten years ago along with her mother, who had six children.
Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: “Huge effort[s] [are] underway to locate this man. Call us, web chat us or tell Crimestoppers UK if you can help.”
Detective Inspector Caroline Corfield, who is leading the investigation, said: “As we have so far not been able to locate Tarin, I’m now asking for the public’s help in tracing him.
He added: “If there’s anyone out there who may be shielding him through a sense of misguided loyalty, they need to be aware that they are committing an offence and will be prosecuted.”
Police have now confirmed three addresses have been searched in connection with Tarin, including a property in Birmingham’s Sparkhill area, Birmingham Live reports.
One resident of Solihull told the website she heard a concerning commotion before a man drove off in a van on the night of the killings.
She said: “I thought it was foxes screaming. She was absolutely screaming her head off. There was a lot of screaming and shouting and then I saw the guy run off. About a minute later I saw him leave in a van.”
A woman who knew the victims added: “The mother told me they were having a bit of bother with her daughter’s ex-boyfriend.
“They had recently split up and he kept coming around. They were worried enough to call the police a few times but they weren’t taken seriously.”
West Midlands Police force said it had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as they had previously had “contact” with the victims’ family.
A spokesman for the IOPC said: “I can confirm we have received a referral and that it will be assessed.”
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