Italian police have launched a major manhunt after three members of the same family were allegedly killed in a brutal attack inside their apartment on the outskirts of Rome.
The victims, identified as 39-year-old Kamal Uddin Babul, his 38-year-old wife Jahan Hosne Momotaj and their five-year-old daughter Islam Arowa, were found dead at their home in Casalotti, west of the Italian capital.
A fourth family member, the couple’s 20-year-old son, Amir Hossain Ayon, survived the attack after suffering stab wounds. He was rushed to hospital and is reported to be in serious condition.
Police have identified 43-year-old Shahadat Hossain as the prime suspect and have released his photograph while appealing to the public for information on his whereabouts. He is wanted on suspicion of murder and assault.
Investigators believe the suspect may have targeted the family after the mother allegedly rejected his repeated advances. According to local reports, Hossain had previously visited the family’s home on several occasions to harass the woman before being turned away.
Authorities suspect the woman and her young daughter were attacked first using a meat cleaver. Police believe the suspect then attempted to clean the crime scene before being confronted by the woman’s husband and son when they returned home later that night.
The father was allegedly killed during the confrontation, while the son managed to survive despite sustaining serious injuries.
Speaking to investigators, the surviving son reportedly said he arrived home to find the suspect cleaning up blood inside the apartment.
Neighbours told police they heard screams coming from the first-floor flat before seeing a person flee the area into the darkness.
Officers recovered a meat cleaver from the apartment, which is believed to have been used in the killings. Investigators are still working to determine whether the attack was premeditated.
The victims were members of a Bangladeshi family who had been living in Italy for several years.
Police have opened a murder investigation, ordered post-mortem examinations and are urging anyone with information that could help locate the suspect to contact authorities immediately.
