Singaporean found stabbed dead in Brisbane

A 27-year-old Singaporean graduate student was found stabbed dead early Tuesday morning in Brisbane, according to reports from Australian papers.

According to The Australian, the body of Meenatchi Narayanan was found in a third-floor room at the Travelodge in Upper Mount Gravatt.

Reports from The Courier-Mail said that screams were heard from the hotel room, prompting a staff member to call the emergency number triple-0. Police then forced their way in at about 12.30am on Tuesday.

The police also found a 31-year-old man with what are believed to be self-inflicted stab wounds.

The man, believed to be an Indian from South Africa, was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital and is under serious condition. He is under police guard.

The police also seized a knife after the stabbing.

According to The Brisbane Times, the victim and the suspect had met only on Monday night and were set to have an arranged marriage.

It also reported that Ms Narayanan's brother arrived in Brisbane on Tuesday night.

Acting Detective Inspector Tod Reid told The Brisbane Times that the scene was "quite confronting". He also told The Australian that the victim's family were assisting police with their investigations.

According to The Straits Times, an MFA spokesman said it was aware of the case and that the Singapore High Commission in Canberra will provide consular assistance to the victim's next of kin.

ellenja@sph.com.sg