JEDDAH/AUSTINVILLE — A Saudi man murdered and dumped in Australia's Gold Coast hinterland last month has been identified as Sultan Alamri, Australian newspaper The Courier-Mail has reported. The 30-year-old's charred body was discovered by bushwalkers at Austinville on Oct. 17, sparking an intense investigation to find out the identity of both the victim and his killer. Australian police issued a public plea to help identify the man when they released pictures of a fake Gucci designer belt and other pieces of jewelry, before DNA testing confirmed the man's identity late last week. However, they do believe the bush fire that recently ravaged the Austinville bushland may have been deliberately lit to mask the crime. Alamri was last seen on the evening of Oct. 6. It is believed Alamri was driving a 2000 maroon or red Toyota Avalon but police have not yet found his car. Australian police are appealing for anyone who has had contact with Alamri over the past year or who may have information on the whereabouts of the vehicle that he was driving to contact them.
Police Sunday released Alamri's name and photograph in a bid to ignite a breakthrough in the investigation. Another Saudi national in Australia was last month shot in the leg, but police are yet to confirm whether the two events are linked. — SG
