Westminster police on Wednesday, March 14, released surveillance video showing a man they believe stabbed a 22-year-old woman to death in a motel room last month.

Treeanna Nichols, 22, of Pasadena, was found murdered in a motel in Westminster on February 5, 2018. (Photo Courtesy of Westminster Police Department)

Still image taken from a video of a suspect in the murder of 22 year-old Treeanna Nichols at a motel in Westminster. (Photo Courtesy of Westminster Police Department)

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Still image taken from a video of a suspect in the murder of 22 year-old Treeanna Nichols at a motel in Westminster. (Photo Courtesy of Westminster Police Department)

Still image taken from a video of a suspect in the murder of 22 year-old Treeanna Nichols at a motel in Westminster. (Photo Courtesy of Westminster Police Department)

Still image taken from a video of a suspect’s car in the murder of 22 year-old Treeanna Nichols at a motel in Westminster. (Photo Courtesy of Westminster Police Department)



Still image taken from a video of a suspect in the murder of 22 year-old Treeanna Nichols at a motel in Westminster. (Photo Courtesy of Westminster Police Department)

Commander Cameron Knauerhaze speaks with the media about the murder of 22 year-old Treeanna Nichols during a press conference in Westminster on Wednesday, Mar 14, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Commander Cameron Knauerhaze speaks with the media about the murder of 22 year-old Treeanna Nichols during a press conference in Westminster on Wednesday, Mar 14, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The footage shows a man in a hooded sweatshirt walking up the stairs of the Quality Inn on Westminster Boulevard at about 3 p.m. Feb. 5 and then leaving a short time later. In the time in between, investigators believe he killed Treeanna Nichols of Pasadena.

“This was a brutal murder of a young woman and we hope today that the information that we’re sharing with you and the community can bring her killer to justice,” Westminster police Cmdr. Cameron Knauerhaze said at a news conference at department headquarters.

Nichols was staying alone in the motel and had only been there a short time. She had many friends and acquaintances in the area and they believe she was going to have a short stay, according to police.

Officers were called by family to do a welfare check on her and found her body just before 11 p.m.

“She was a daughter, a friend and a human being,” he said. “No one deserves the violent death she endured.”

Investigators are still trying to figure out if the two knew each other but they pointed out that there didn’t appear to be any forced entry into the room. He may have been let into the room or found an opportunity to enter, Knauerhaze said. But investigators are speculating that there was a struggle in the incident.

“We also believe at this point that the suspect may have been injured during the assault,” Knauerhaze said.

Authorities wouldn’t discuss why they think he was injured citing the pending investigation.

They asked the public for help in trying to find the individual who fled in a dark-colored sedan.

He is described as a 25 to 30-year-old man who is White or Hispanic. He is around 5-feet 10-inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark long-sleeved jacket, dark pants and shoes. He was holding a silver vape device and is thought to be left-handed.

As for a motive for the assault, it’s still under investigation.

“We’re exploring every avenue at this point,” Knauerhaze said. He hopes with the public’s cooperation, investigators will be able to figure out why the crime occurred.

“We just don’t know,” he said.

Westminster police have created a tip-line for anyone with information about the case. Anyone with information is asked to call 714-898-3315 ext. 4572 or OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. Tipsters may remain anonymous.