Police in Semey have detained a 24-year-old local man suspected of murdering a 19-year-old female student. A criminal case was opened on September 21, the Abai Region Police Department said, according to infohub.kz.
The suspect was identified and detained swiftly, the department said. He is currently being held in a temporary detention facility. Police also noted that the suspect and the victim knew each other.
"A pre-trial investigation is underway, and all circumstances of the incident are being established," said Yerzhan Akkaliyev, acting deputy head of the Semey police department.
According to KTK television channel, the tragedy unfolded near a residential building in the Vodny settlement on the outskirts of Semey. Local residents heard screams, then found the victim and called an ambulance. Two medical teams arrived at the scene, but the girl could not be saved.
As reported by Kazinform, citing preliminary medical data, the victim had knife wounds to the neck. The exact number of wounds has not been officially specified.
Neighbors said a conflict occurred between the young people before the attack. According to them, the suspected attacker left the scene after the incident by climbing over a fence. Police did not comment separately on these details.
On social media, relatives of the victim said the attack may have occurred after the girl rejected the young man. They also suggested the crime could have been planned in advance and carried out by several people. Police have not yet confirmed these versions.
An acquaintance of the girl said that shortly before the attack she had been talking with her ex-boyfriend. The acquaintance left after the conflict began, then returned upon hearing screams and tried to help.
The victim was named Dilyara Salimbayeva. She was a third-year student at a college in Semey, majoring in Traffic Organization. According to teachers, she was a good student, and her photo was displayed on the honor board. On the morning of the incident, she had attended classes.
The funeral is planned to be held in Kokpekti District, where the girl was from. The pre-trial investigation continues. Investigators must establish the motive, the circumstances of the incident, and the possible involvement of other persons.