Nadine Aburas dead: International manhunt for 'dangerous' Sammy Almahri after woman found dead in Cardiff hotel

Police believe Sammy Almahri, the suspect in the murder case of Nadine Aburas, is in Tanzania

Undated handout photo issued by South Wales Police of Sammy Almahri, as an international manhunt was launched for him after Nadine Aburas was found dead in a guest room at the Future Inn hotel in Cardiff (PA)

Police are conducting an international manhunt after a woman was found dead in a Cardiff hotel room.

Nadine Aburas, 28, was discovered by staff at the Future Inn hotel in the Welsh capital on New Year’s Eve.

The death is being treated as a murder and South Wales Police are attempting to trace Sammy Almahri, a US citizen from New York.

Detective Superintendent Paul Hurley appealed for the public's help to find the suspect and said: “I consider this man to be a dangerous individual and would advise that any knowledge of his location or sightings of him are reported immediately to the authorities - and he is not to be approached.”

Mr Almahri, 44, who has distinctive facial injuries, is now believed to be in Tanzania.

The man checked into the hotel on 30 December, before Ms Aburas, with whom he had an “existing friendship” arrived at about 9pm that night.

He left the hotel at 3am on New Year’s Eve and took a flight from Heathrow to Bahrain at 10.30am.

A picture of the victim Nadine Aburas issued by South Wales Police (PA)

Police said the pair had known each other for three years and met up in New York. The precise nature of their relationship is unknown.

“The hotel was busy with people who were in the city to celebrate Christmas and New Year's Eve. People will have seen them together, or on their own, and I would urge them to come forward.” Det Supt Hurley said.

“While we have not yet made any arrests, we have a team of officers who are trying to trace Sammy Almahri, and now believe he is in Tanzania.

“We have been working closely with our counterparts in both NYPD and police officers in Tanzania. From our inquiries we have discovered that Almahri is very resourceful and has access to funds, which may further assist his evasion from law enforcement agencies,” he added.

It is believed Mr Almahri has access to money and resources that may allow him to continue to evade capture.

A post-mortem has been conducted but the cause of death has not been confirmed.

The victim’s family issued a statement paying tribute to Ms Aburas. “She always wanted to help people and everybody loved her. She has left such a massive hole in our family and we will miss her so much. The family respectfully request that they be left to grieve privately.”

Additional reporting by PA