Police are investigating whether a young British woman was stabbed to death by a French knifeman who was infatuated with her, it is claimed.

Smail Ayad screamed 'Allahu Akbar' as he butchered pretty backpacker Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, in a bloody rampage in front of 30 horrified witnesses on Tuesday night.

Ayad, 29, was said to be obsessed with Mia and even told other guests at the backpacker's hostel in Queensland they were married, the local Townsville Bulletin reported.

He is said to have told other guests they were 'deeply in love' but became outraged when he discovered Ms Aycliffe-Chung had posed for photos in a magazine and did not share his feelings.

The theory that the young backpacker was killed because of a romantic motive is being probed by detectives, The Courier Mail also reported.

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Smail Ayad, 29, has been named as the man who shouted 'Allahu Akbar' as he allegedly went on a bloody rampage in north Queensland

British backpacker Mia Ayliffe-Chung was 'living her dream' on a gap year in Australia when she was stabbed to death by a French man believed to be staying at the same hostel

Following his arrest, Ayad was taken to hospital before he was transported in a police van to the watchhouse.

On the way to the watchhouse, he caused such a commotion in the back of the van that police officers had to stop the vehicle.

During this episode, Ayad ended up hitting two officers, who ended up in hospital, and capsicum spray was used on him, the Townsville Bulletin reported.

A total of seven officers had to help get the alleged knifeman into his padded cell, according to the newspaper.

His victim, Ms Ayliffe-Chung, was on a round the world trip of a lifetime when she was stabbed to death on Tuesday night in front of 30 horrified witnesses.

Her mother, Rosie Ayliffe, said: 'My beloved daughter Mia was an amazing young woman with an adventurous spirit. Not only was she kind and funny, she was clever, sassy with a sense of fun.

'Mia was full of the kind of open-minded compassion for life that you don't see often. It felt as though she was reminding us all of the beauty and possibilities we all have and that we should live life to the full.

My beloved daughter Mia was an amazing young woman with an adventurous spirit. Not only was she kind and funny, she was clever, sassy with a sense of fun Rosie Ayliffe

'She was always at one with herself, so whole. Above all else she had a strong sense of right and wrong and would look after those she considered in need.

'Her feisty nature and strong sense of justice made Mia a beloved friend to her peers and to all those who knew her.

'She would always treat others with dignity, respect and kindness. Just seeing her outward appearance could not give you an inkling of how wonderful she was emotionally, socially and mentally.

'Mia was a rare person who saw beyond race, creed or belief. She would always treat others with dignity, respect and kindness.

A blood stain on the floor outside the hostel left by a victim of the stabbing

One of the backpackers with a bandage around him arm following Tuesday night's attack

More blood splattered on the floor of the hostel in one of the communal areas

'As a peaceful person, Mia had huge respect for everybody. She would not want to be the reason for any hostilities caused by any misinterpretation of events.'

Ayad, a kickboxing champion who has trained in Thailand, allegedly made threats against them and stabbed a hostel employee in the leg.

A British man was stabbed 15 times in the face, chest and stomach as he heroically tried to save Ms Ayliffe-Chung.

A second British man and an Australian were also hurt in the attack in which a dog was also killed.

She phoned mum Rosie Ayliffe back home in Matlock, Derbyshire, to tell her she was having 'the time of her life' - just hours before she was brutally killed.

In that final call she poignantly told her: 'Don't worry about me. I'm fine.'

Her last words to her mother were revealed today by a close family friend.

Trudy Curtis has been comforting heartbroken Rosie since police broke the news that her daughter had been knifed to death in a frenzied attack at the hostel in Home Hill, Queensland

This tribute had been posted for Ms Ayliffe-Chung outside the hostel

The 21-year-old (left) was working on a farm in Queensland to extend her working holiday visa

Ms Ayliffe-Chung had been dating Australian Jamison Stead since early May, although the pair broke up a few weeks ago. He posted a tribute to his ex-girlfriend

Trudy said: 'She is absolutely devastated and too distraught to comprehend it.'

Trudy, who knew Mia well and used to look after her while her teacher mum was working, paid tribute to her, saying: 'She's so amazing and she was happy travelling and working.'

Rosie had waved Mia off on her lifelong adventure a year ago.

Trudy, speaking exclusively to MailOnline, explained: 'She went travelling about this time last year. Her mum hadn't seen her in all that time but they were in constant contact. They emailed and called each other so much.

'Mia always said she was really loving the experience. She spoke to her mum just hours before she died and said she was having the time of her life.

'Mia's very sassy and every mum worries when their daughter goes off travelling. But Mia would insist: 'Don't worry about me. I'm fine'.'

French national Ayad and Ms Ayliffe-Chung became friends on Facebook after she moved to Home Hill, near Townsville, to work on a farm and extend her Australian visa.

The alleged killer studied at at Lycée de la Méditerranée, in La Ciotat, in the south of France, according to his Facebook profile.

His most recent profile picture uploaded weeks ago is a painting with the words 'peace', 'unity' and 'respect'.

Tom Jackson, pictured on his Facebook page, was clearly popular. His friend Samantha Harrison described him as 'one of the most amazing people I have ever met'

Ayad, who was identified as the knifeman by the Daily Telegraph, was in hospital being treated for stab wounds and has been released into police custody.

He is yet to be formally charged.

The alleged attacker was also Facebook friends with Mr Jackson.

Before the attack was carried out, another French backpacker who was friends with Ayad said the alleged attack posted a 'strange' message on his Facebook page.

'I'm a victim, I feel I'm going to die soon, whoever you are who like me please follow me, I love everyone,' Ayad wrote, according to 9News.

Samantha Harrison, from Axminster, Devon, wrote on Facebook: 'I was driving home this morning and I here the news on the radio. I freaked.

'Tom Jackson was a very close friend and one of the most amazing people I have ever met. Now Tom I need you too stay strong and beat this for yourself and all of your friends and family who love you. XXXX'

A second Brit Chris Porter, 21, was hurt in the attack along with local man Grant 'Grunta' Scholz, 46, whose dog was also killed in the bloodbath.

Mr Porter's mother, Kim, said: 'He's doing OK.'

Speaking from her home in High Halstow, near Rochester in Kent, she said: 'He is distraught obviously. Very distraught.'

She said: 'He was doing farm work to try and stay out there the extra year but now this has happened.'

Bill Khatkar, who runs a pub in the village where Mr Porter used to work as a chef, said: 'He is a lovely lovely person. He would stand up for anyone. He wouldn't even look left or right, he'd just go straight in.'

Ayad has been in Australia on a temporary visa since March, police said.

Australian Federal Police Commander Sharon Cowden said: 'We are working very closely with our partner agencies to ensure that if there is any indication that this has an extremist slant to it or this person had been radicalised, we would be able to discover that. At this stage, we have no evidence of that.'

Ayad's Facebook lists Chiang Mai, Thailand, as his city of residence. It is understood he trained in kickboxing there. It says he studied High School at Lycée de la Méditerranée, La Ciotat, in the south of France.

Hero: British man Tom Jackson, 30, was stabbed 15 times in the face as he tried to save Ms Ayliffe-Chung from the knife-wielding maniac. He is fighting for his life in hospital

Ms Ayliffe-Chung arrived in Home Hill ten days after working as a waitress in Surfer's Paradise, on Australia's Gold Coast. She had previous travelled in Turkey and India

He had earlier posted a picture of rapper Notorious Big with the words: 'When it's a question of money, everyone is the same religion.'

A note pinned to the outside of the hostel today read: 'RIP Angel. Your senseless tragedy will forever be in our hearts.

'You will be remembered by the community of Home Hill. We grieve together with your family and friends. Fly free with the angels and may God comfort your loved ones.'

Before she moved to Home Hill, Ms Ayliffe-Chung had been working as a waitress at The Bedroom Lounge Bar on the Gold Coast, where she wore racy outfits to fit with the theme of the bar.

She had also previously posed for a glamour modelling photo shoot.

Ms Ayliffe-Chung had been dating Australian Jamison Stead since early May, although the pair broke up a few weeks ago.

Mr Stead told MailOnline on Wednesday he was still trying to come to terms with what had happened.

Ms Ayliffe-Chung was killed at Shelley's Backpackers in Home Hill, Queensland, a popular place to stay for backpackers doing rural work to fulfill visa requirements

Ms Ayliffe-Chung, who is originally from Wirksworth in the UK, studied psychology at Chesterfield College Official and went to high school at The Ecclesbourne School

In the weeks before Ms Ayliffe-Chung set out on her trip in 2015, she posted about being 30 per cent excited - but 70 percent scared - about her adventure. Above, she spent Christmas Day 2015 in Indonesia

Leading up to Ms Ayliffe-Chung's time in northern Queensland, her social media pages were filled with photographs of her enjoying her travels

Ms Ayliffe-Chung wrote that it had 'definitely' lived up to expectations - but hadn't been as scary as she thought. Above, Mia in Bali, Indonesia

Mia Ayliffe-Chung had been travelling around the world before arriving in Australia

Friends of Ms Ayliffe-Chung described her as 'fun, energetic and bubbly'

Mia visited exotic locations like Morocco, Turkey and Dubai while on her travels

He posted a tribute to his ex-girlfriend on Facebook following her death.

'Rest in peace Mia. Thank you for the memories,' Mr Stead wrote.

Police broke the news to Ms Ayliffe-Chung's parents.

Family friend Trudy said: 'Police turned up at 11pm and broke the news. Poor Rosie she's been up all night, there's an awful lot to digest and she is devastated, absolutely devastated.

'I've been friends of the family for a long time and I've been here since 9am comforting her. I just want to be here for her.

'She and Mia had such a close bond. I don't know how Rosie will cope with her loss.'

Trudy went on: 'The worst thing on top of the loss is not knowing what happened and why. Rosie is besides herself with grief and incomprehension. We don't know if it was a terrorist attack or carried out by a man with mental issues. We don't want to say it is one thing when it may not be. We really don't know. The fact that it happened in another country and on the other side of the world makes it worse.'

Ms Ayliffe-Chung's dad, who is separated from her mum and lives in London, is aware of her death.

Rosie, who was also being helped by Derbyshire Police family liaison officers, is now planning to go to Australia.

Witnesses said the attacker was seen loudly singing the French national anthem before allegedly carrying out the attack.

He was also caught on police body camera shouting 'Allahu Akbar', meaning God is great, as he was taken into custody.

Ms Ayliffe-Chung was killed injured in front of 30 horrified witnesses by a Frenchman who also stabbed British man Tom Jackson, 30, and a third man from Australia

Ms Ayliffe-Chung previously studied childcare at Buxton College and psychology at Chesterfield College

Ms Ayliffe-Chung's sister Natasha Chung, 35, was clearly upset as she spoke at her semi-detached home in Selhurst, south east London.

Natasha said: 'I still don't know the full details of what happened. I wouldn't know what to say. I'm still in shock,' she said.

She said she learned of her sister's tragic death through a phone call from her other sister, Nicola, on Tuesday night.

'My sister is with my dad at the moment,' Natasha added.

Ms Ayliffe-Chung had been on an incredible trip around the world to exotic locations like Morocco, Turkey, India, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia before landing work on the Gold Coast in a bar, where she was adored by friends and co-workers.

She is originally from Wirksworth near Matlock in Derbyshire, and went to Ecclesbourne School in Duffield, before moving to Anthony Gell School in Year 9.

The 21-year-old then studied childcare at college in Buxton, which is part of the University of Derby, and psychology at Chesterfield College, according to her Facebook profile.

In the days before her death she had been detailing online her experiences at the farm, an inventory of Australia's creepy-crawlies that she had come across.

Mia had been documenting her days while working on a cane farm in north Queensland

Ms Ayliffe-Chung had been dating an Australian man, Jamison Stead (pictured together). The pair broke up a few weeks ago, Mr Stead told Daily Mail Australia

Ms Ayliffe-Chung had said she was 'living her dream' in a Facebook post, but said it was hard missing family

'Day one, done! Only 87 left to do. Today we were in sugar canes. Feeling like a little Jamaican again. Saw about five small spiders, four poisonous toads and three geckos. Not too shabby of a day,' one post read.

Leading up to her time in northern Queensland where she was working on a sugar cane farm, her social media pages were filled with photographs of her enjoying life on the Gold Coast - waterfront high rise buildings, beaches and bars.

In the weeks before she left the UK for her trip of a lifetime last year, she posted about being 30 per cent excited - but 70 percent scared - about her adventure.

A year ago to the day of that post, she wrote that it had 'definitely' lived up to expectations - but hadn't been as scary as she thought.

But clearly missing home, she said although she was 'living her dream, the hardest thing is 'missing the important home things. Graduations, people in hospital, funerals and birthdays,' she wrote in a July Facebook post.

Photos from her trip around the world show her visiting stunning waterfalls in Vietnam and exploring markets in Thailand.

Others show her lounging in Indonesian pools, swimming in azure seas and holding monkeys.

Pictures reveal her in a desert area with camels, visiting Moroccan marketplaces and stopping off in cities like Istanbul and Dubai.

Paying tribute to Ms Ayliffe-Chung, Paul Lovatt, Head of Pastoral Care at Anthony Gell School where she joined as a Year 9 student, said: 'Everyone at the school is shocked and saddened at the news that Mia has lost her life in the most tragic of circumstances.

46-year-old Australian man Mr Scholz (pictured limping) was taken to hospital with a stab wound to the leg but has since been released

Up to 30 people witnessed the stabbing on Wednesday afternoon in Townsville

'We knew Mia as a student with so much joy and energy who was well-liked by her friends and teachers.

'Mia was a bubbly student who was energetic, caring and who immersed herself in life, enriching the school environment she contributed to.'

Two friends and co-workers of Ms Ayliffe-Chung also said she was 'fun, energetic and bubbly'.

'She was great to work with, loved by everyone and will be dearly missed by the Surfers Paradise hospitality community,' Scott Ackland told MailOnline.

'It is under such terrible circumstances that this has happened to such an amazing person. Our condolences go out to all of her family and friends. We are also thankful Chris Porter, our other co worker, was able to escape with minimal injuries and our thoughts are with the other man fighting for his life,' he told MailOnline.

A friend of British hero Mr Jackson, who is in a critical condition in hospital, said he was wounded when he went to help Ms Ayliffe-Chung as she was being attacked.

The French man, 29, also yelled out 'Allahu Akbar' when he was arrested by police

Witnesses said the attacker was seen loudly singing the French national anthem before carrying out the attack. Above, backpackers staying at the hostel were seen comforting one another

Queensland state Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Golleschewski said police are not ruling out any motivations for the attack 'whether they be political or criminal'

Speaking from the family home in Congleton, Cheshire, Tom Jackson's sister, Olivia, 23, said: 'We can't really comment too much at the minute.

'Tom hasn't been in a position to talk to us because he's still in a critical condition in hospital. We can't divulge too much else right now.'

Neighbour Rex Garratt said: 'We didn't even know he was in Australia, it's a total shock. 'I can't believe it, Tom was friends with all the kids in the neighbourhood, it's so sad.'

'Everyone's close in this community, people know the family's name.'

Paul Garratt, Rex's son, said: 'He's a friend of mine, he's a really nice person from a really nice family.

'He's very friendly and he loves travelling.'

The third person injured, 46-year-old local man Mr Scholz, was taken to hospital with a stab wound to the leg but has since been released.

Mr Scholz manages the hostel and is understood to live on site.

Backpackers leave the scene at the hostel after a French man carried out a knife attack

Police officers at the scene of the knife attack on Wednesday which has killed a British woman and critically injured a British man

'Grunta tried to get him off the girl when he was stabbed in the leg,' a friend told MailOnline.

His sister, Roslyn, posted on Facebook: 'Hope you are OK little Brother, you are very brave.'

Mr Scholz's friend also confirmed a dog, believed to be owned be hostel owner Shelley Norris, was stabbed during the rampage.

Queensland state Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Golleschewski told a news conference the attacker twice screamed 'Allahu Akhbar' during the frenzy.

'Initial inquiries indicate that comments which may be construed of being as of an extremist nature were made by the alleged offender,' Deputy Commissioner Gollschewski said.

'It is alleged that the suspect used the phrase "Allahu Akbar" during the attack and when arrested by police.

'Whilst this information will be factored into the information we are not ruling out any motivations at this early stage, whether they be political or criminal.

'We've had three people stabbed and one dead, deceased [and] one critically injured. It's a shocking attack by any standards.'

A neighbour, named Ray, who lives across the street, told of hearing 'blood-curdling screams' around the time of the attack.

'It's a very quiet town... we heard the screams... I was terrified, it wasn't very pleasant at all. I'll never forget it,' he said.

'A sleepy little town like this, you don't expect things like that to happen.'

The alleged knifeman was taken to Townsville Hospital and is being questioned by police. He is yet to be charged.

'At this stage, there is no indications to indicate other than that the fact he was acting alone,' said Australian Federal Police Commander Sharon Cowden.

TOURIST FRACTURED HIS ANKLES AS HE LEAPT FROM A WINDOW TO ESCAPE THE FATAL STABBING OF THE MODEL A man fractured his ankles when he jumped for his life from a window to escape the fatal stabbing of a young British model. Chris Porter, a chef from Queensland's Surfer's Paradise, was lying in a bunk bed over the bunk of his British friend Mia Ayliffe-Chung when he realised something bad was happening beneath him. What he saw was Ms Ayliffe-Chung being stabbed repeatedly in the face by a fellow roomate in the dormitory at the Home Hill hostel south of Townsville. Although too upset to describe his flight from the bloody scene, Mr Porter's older brother Aaron told Courier Mail what he had learned from Chris. The French man, he said, stabbed four room-mates, including Ms Ayliffe-Chung and a British man, who was last night in a critical condition in hospital. Two other people were also stabbed but their injuries were not life-threatening. It was after the four stabbings that 21-year-old Chris leaped from the second floor to save his own life when the knifeman turned his attention on him. Aaron said his younger brother told him that the alleged killer continued to pursue him down the road with the knife. 'He's had to wave down a car and this guy was trying to smash through the car window,' Aaron told The Bulletin. The paper said Aaron had learned from his brother, who is in hospital with his ankle injuries, that a French man arrested for the stabbings had been staying at the backpackers' hostel for several days. He was sharing a room with those who were attacked. 'Chris said he had been there for a few days and seemed an absolute normal guy. He spoke to the guy before he went to bed and he seemed fine. 'He has woken up to him dragging Mia out of bed. The guy was a nutter,' Aaron said. Advertisement

Social media has been flooded with tributes from shocked friends following Ms Ayliffe-Chung's death

'Albeit it is a shocking incident and the community should remain vigilant. He was in lawfully in Australia and at this stage he was not known to authorities.'

Police say the man did not appear to have any ties to Islamic State.

Both the Deputy Commissioner and the Commander expressed their condolences to the families affected by the attack.

The British High Commissioner has arrived in Townsville.

'We are working with local authorities and providing support to the families after one British national was killed and another critically injured in an incident in Australia,' a British High Commission spokesperson said.



Investigators have found the knife believed to have been used in the attack.

Dean Marinic, manager of the nearby Malpass Hotel, said tourists tended to stay in the sugar cane and fruit and veg farming season.

Social media has been flooded with tributes following Ms Ayliffe-Chung's death

'They seem to stay there [at the hostel] a fair time... Out here, there'll stay for the whole season,' Mr Marinic told MailOnline.

Local Gitto Milani, an 80-year-old retired farmer, has lived in the area all his life and heard loud sirens as he went to bed about 11pm.

'It's the first thing anything's happened like this here in Home Hill,' Mr Milani, who lives three blocks away from the scene, said. It [the hostel] has got a real good reputation.'

Mr Milani said the hostel organised fruitpicking and vegetable picking opportunities.

He said the area was swarming with police and TV cameras.

Social media has been flooded with tributes following Ms Ayliffe-Chung's death.

'The love that was shown to you was owing to the fact that you are the complete chick strong and independent but with a soft side that made you so approachable you oozed life, and you were always the life and soul of a party,' Sam Gostelow wrote.

One of the tributes left by friends for Ms Ayliffe-Chung following her death

Friends described her as a 'beautiful soul' who had died too young

'I remember the excitement to sort our farming out and we were looking forward to spending the next three months together to bond we even had spoken about living together when it was all over.

'I had found a friend for life, someone I knew would be in my life for many, many years.'

Emily Waters, a British woman who previously stayed at the hostel, said she was horrified by the attack.

'I literally can't believe it,' she wrote on Facebook.

'I can't stop watching the news. I've just been told the guy who has done this is a guy who I lived with there for the whole time.

'To think I spent time talking to him and working with him.'

These pictures show the interior of the hostel in Home Hill where more than 30 people witnessed the attack

Their attacker yelled out 'Allahu Akbar' during the frenzied attack and his arrest. Above is Mr Scholz (left being carried away and right) again