Mystery murder: Suzan Tamim Decapitated

Lebanese singer Suzan Tamim, 31, who was found dead, was decapitated inside her flat number 2204 at Jumeirah Beach Residence’s Rimal 1 tower on Sunday night, a police officer said.

"The neighbours heard a fight inside Suzan’s flat after she and her friends came back from a night out," he said. However, residents saw the police arrive at the scene only on Monday night between 8.30pm and 9pm.

Her body was found by a cousin who called the police. He has been detained for interrogation.

Tamim had purchased the apartment just eight days ago. Her husband Adel Matouk, a famous Lebanese producer, was due to arrive in Dubai yesterday.

Her family released a statement on Lebanon’s Jaras TV which said: "We are deeply saddened by the demise of our daughter in Dubai and are hoping that the malevolent felon will be brought to justice. Respects will be paid when her body is returned to the homeland."

A Lebanese Consulate official in Dubai condemned the murder and said they were yet to be contacted by her family. The consulate will issue a death certificate after receiving the police report in order to repatriate her body. Her body is being kept at the Dubai Police General Headquarters mortuary.

Investigation

The Criminal Investigation Department officers have collected data discs containing security video footage taken by the building’s CCTV cameras, a resident said. The resident who returned from work at 5.30pm on Tuesday, said the police were present from Monday till Tuesday night collecting information.

Another resident yesterday wrote on the community website www.jbrcommunity.com: "I rang the security yesterday to let them know that there was a person lurking around in the service area at the back of our apartment. They said they were busy and would come up in two minutes. Fifteen minutes later I had to call them again as I was going out and they came 10 minutes later."

Residents shocked

A British expatriate who lives on the 30th floor of Rimal 1 was on her way to the swimming pool with her children when XPRESS caught up with her. She said she was "clueless about the incident" but was stunned to hear the news.

"We saw police cars and an ambulance on Monday night around 9.30pm and wondered what was going on. But when we checked with the management, we were told that there was a fight in one of the flats and that there was nothing to worry about," she said.

Ahmad Ali, lifeguard of the swimming pool, said, "I saw the police here the night before last and asked them what was going on. They told me someone had been murdered and that the victim’s brother had informed the police. There are many ladies who meet Suzan’s description. I can’t tell if I have seen the singer."