Smail Ayad has been identified as the French madman who went on a ‘random’ stabbing spree which led to the horrific death ofBritish backpacker, Mia Aylifee Chung.
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Police are investigating reports that Ayad, a 29-year-old Frenchman, had an unrequited romantic interest or an “obsession” with Miss Ayliffe-Chung.
Aside from the British woman, an unnamed 30-year-old British man also received multiple stab wounds and is now fighting for his life in the hospital.
There are also reports of another incident on Wednesday night, when officers had to use tazers and capsicum spray to subdue Ayad at the Townsville watch house, where he is now being held.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Ayad, from Marseille, entered Australia in March on a temporary visa, and had been involved in an argument with his alleged victim before the attack, The Australian reported.
Police described his actions as “selfless”.
Mr Gollschewski added that Miss Ayliffe-Chung was the first person to be attacked and the incident was being treated as a murder case, not a terror attack.
Mr Jackson and Mr Scholz, the manager of the Home Hill Backpackers, about 100 kilometres south of Townsville, have been labelled heroes for their roles in trying to thwart the alleged attack.
Ayliffe-Chung had just qualified as a child care practitioner, and her travels had taken her to Morocco, Turkey, Thailand and India before she came to Australia on a one-year visa.
Also in 2014, police shot dead a Melbourne teenager after he stabbed two counter-terrorism officers.
Mia Ayliffe Chung photos: Why was British backpacker murdered?
The freelance journalist remained in a critical condition in hospital after suffering numerous knife wounds to the face. The Guardian reported that Ayliffe-Chung, 21, was visiting Australia from Derbyshire in the United Kingdom and was reportedly days into a three-month working holiday.
Remembering the 21-year-old, her mother said on Wednesday, “My beloved daughter Mia was an incredible young woman with an adventurous spirit”.
The 12 serious assaults he has been charged with are in relation to 12 separate police officers, he said. She would always treat others with dignity, respect and kindness.
“Mia was full of the kind of open-mindedness compassion for life that you don’t see that often”, her mother said in a statement. Ayad has had access to legal representation and the French consulate and has declined to be interviewed.
“There has been no indication whatsoever that any radicalisation or any political motives existed that caused him to attack the people that he did”, Supt Rohweder told reporters Thursday.
Ayad made headlines around Australia earlier this week because it was alleged he shouted “Allahu Akbar” before stabbing Ayliffe-Chung.
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Rohweder said: “When we transported the suspect from the Townsville hospital to the Townsville police station, the suspect behaved in an extremely violent manner which necessitated police stopping the motor vehicle and attempting to restrain him”.
