in the restroom of a high-end mall in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the
United Arab Emirates, police said.
Ibolya Ryan, 47, was taken to the hospital after the attack Monday on
Reem Island but died of her injuries, Abu Dhabi police said.
She worked as a school teacher and had 11-year-old twins who are being
cared for by authorities until their father, the victim's ex-husband,
arrives from abroad, police said. Authorities previously said she was
37.
Ryan was stabbed with a sharp tool, later recovered by police, after a
fight broke out in the women's restroom, according to Col. Dr. Rashid
Mohammad Borshid, head of the Criminal Investigation Department of Abu
Dhabi Police.
The cause of the fight remains unknown; the suspect fled the scene
immediately after committing the crime, he said.
Police have appealed for help tracking down the killer.
"Investigations are still under way to identify the suspect's identity
and gender," a police statement Tuesday said. "Witnesses reported that
the culprit was fully covered wearing an abaya, black gloves and face
cover (niqab)."
The abaya is a black, full-length gown traditionally worn by local
Emirati women. The suspect was also wearing a hijab, or headscarf.
The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi said it was "working with all the
appropriate authorities to seek further information" about the killing
of a U.S. citizen.
"We offer our condolences to those affected by this terrible tragedy,"
a spokesman said in a statement. "The safety and welfare of U.S.
citizens abroad is one of the Department of State's highest
priorities. We stand ready to provide all possible consular
assistance."
The attack happened at the Boutik Mall on Reem Island, a newly
developed area of Abu Dhabi where many Western expatriates live.
The embassy had issued a statement, back in October, warning U.S.
citizens of an anonymous Internet post that encouraged attacks against
teachers at American and other international schools.
The embassy was unaware of any specific, credible threat at that time,
but called on citizens to be vigilant about their personal security.
CCTV footage released by police shows the suspect, fully covered,
walking calmly in through the parking lot entrance, speaking to
security guards, picking up a paper and disappearing around the corner
out of sight.
It then shows the suspect running to the elevator, followed by others,
and getting into the elevator, before another clip shows the person
leaving the mall through the same parking lot doors.
Violent crime in the UAE is rare and eyewitnesses have expressed shock
at the incident.
"The Abu Dhabi Police will spare no effort in order to unveil this
heinous crime and bring the culprit to justice," said Borshid.
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