Updated 7.20 p.m. New video

The police have launched a search for a foreign man who is believed to have shared a flat with a Bulgarian woman who was found murdered in Qawra this afternoon.

The decomposing body of Irena Abadzhieva, 38, was found 'covered in stab wounds' after neighbours raised the alarm because of smells coming from the flat.

There were no signs of forced entry.

Police Assistant Commissioner Pierre Calleja said investigations were still at a preliminary stage. He said it was too early to say how many times the woman had been stabbed, and with what.

However the police would like to question a man, possibly Turkish, who is thought to have been sharing the flat.

Ms Abadzhieva, who is believed to have worked as a maid in a St Julian's establishment, was found on a sofa covered with a bedsheet.  She was wearing night clothes.

The apartment was leased to her in November.

The woman was last seen on Sunday at about 5 p.m. An autopsy will be held tomorrow.

A magisterial inquiry is under way.