Police Probe British Backpacker Stabbing Suspect's 'Obsession'

Police are investigating whether a man who shouted "Allahu Akbar" before knifing a British backpacker may have had a romantic obsession with her.

Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, from Derbyshire was stabbed to death at a hostel in north Queensland, Australia on Tuesday night.

Queensland Police Detective Superintendent Ray Rohweder said on Thursday that police had found no evidence the attack was motivated by extremism.

But officials are looking into whether the suspect, who has been named as 29-year-old Smail Ayad, had been rejected by Ms Ayliffe-Chung before he allegedly killed her.

Although he is said to have shouted the Arabic phrase for "God is greatest" - both during the attack and while being arrested - Det Supt Rohweder said there was no evidence he had been radicalized or was motivated by politics.

Ayad, from France, has not so far been charged.

Local paper the Townsville Bulletin said that Ayad had "fawned over" Ms Ayliffe-Chung for several days, telling other backpackers at the hostel they were in love and would get married.

The newspaper claimed it had been told his "obsession turned deadly" after he found out she did not feel the same way.

Many of the 30 or so who witnessed the stabbing tried to intervene, but the paper was told they were allegedly threatened by Ayad, who is said to be trained in martial arts.

Two men were also injured, including 30-year-old Briton Tom Jackson, who was taken to Townsville Base Hospital where he is reportedly in a critical condition.

A dog was also killed in the attack, which happened at around 2.15pm (11.15pm local time).

Others in the hostel told The Australian newspaper that Ayad's behaviour changed on the evening of the attack.

The paper said that as well as shouting the Arabic phrase, he sang the French national anthem.

Police said they found a "terrible scene" when they arrived at the hostel where the attack happened in Home Hill.

Ms Ayliffe-Chung has been described as "gorgeous" and "full of life and love" by friends.

According to social media, she was only a few days into a three-month trip working on a farm.

Her latest post on Facebook on Saturday read: "Day 4 done. Just 85 left! Skills achieved; the ability to tell the difference between a rock and a clump of mud and throwing stones really far.

"The sun is too hot. Stupid Australia."

Her boyfriend, Jamison Stead, said she was a "beautiful soul" who had "fallen in love with the country and its people".

Monique Cross, an Australian friend of Ms Ayliffe-Chung, said: "She was a gorgeous person. It's an awful tragedy - I can't believe it."

Amy Browne worked as a bartender at the Bedroom Lounge Bar on Australia's Gold Coast, where Ms Ayliffe-Chung had previously worked as a waitress.

She said: "Mia was honestly the most bubbliest and most caring girl I knew.

"She got along with everyone she met, she just had that gorgeous personality that everyone seemed to enjoy."

A statement was released by The Anthony Gell School in Wirksworth, where Mia was a pupil.

It said: "Mia was a bubbly student who was energetic, caring and who immersed herself in life, enriching the school environment she contributed to."

Police said they arrested a 29-year-old Frenchman and recovered a knife, which they believe was used in the attack.

Mental health issues and drug use are also lines of inquiry.

Queensland Police Service Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said: "We are not ruling out any motivations at this stage. We wish to reassure the community - we are not looking for anyone else."

He said the suspect had been in Australia for about a year on a temporary visa.

He said: "This person appears to have acted alone.

"He is a visitor to Australia and has no known local connections, however investigations are ongoing."

The British High Commission in Australia and the Foreign Office said it was providing support to the families of the victims.