Terrifying theory emerges in Ashling Murphy murder case

Police investigating the shock murder of a young teacher attacked while exercising believe her killer may have been on the hunt for a victim.

New theory in murdered jogger case. Picture: FacebookA vigil was held in Brisbane on Thursday for a young woman who was killed in Ireland earlier that week while she went for a run. Credit: Aine Dowling via Storyful

Police investigating the violent murder of an Irish woman killed while out jogging are focusing on a theory her attacker “stalked potential victims” in the 24 hours before he struck.

Ashling Murphy, 23, was strangled to death in broad daylight while exercising along the Grand Canal Walk in Tullamore, Central Ireland, at about 4pm on Wednesday.

The young teacher tried to “fight off” her attacker – with police hoping DNA samples taken from her hands, nails and clothing will link a suspect, who is currently being treated for a number of injuries in a Dublin hospital, to the crime scene, the Irish Times reports.

Investigators are focusing on a mountain bike found close to the spot where Ms Murphy was discovered after reports a man on a bike followed another woman on the same stretch of canal in the hours before the murder.

The bike is believed to have been abandoned as the suspect fled the scene after being “disturbed” by two women jogging close by.

Ashling Murphy was murdered while jogging on Wednesday afternoon. Picture Facebook

Police are now set to “cross check” prints on the bike with those of the unidentified suspect, who was admitted to hospital on Thursday, having presented at St James’s Hospital with a family member with a variety of wounds.

He became a person of interest because of his links to the region around Tullamore, where Ms Murphy was murdered, as well as the nature of his injuries, which were “unexplained”.

The man is understood to have a variety of injuries, some of which are believed to have been self-inflicted and others that were not, the local outlet reported.

A woman in her 40s told police – called gardaí in Ireland – she was approached by a man on a bicycle just two hours before Ashling was murdered on the canal bank, The Sun reported.

The 23-year-old teacher was attacked while running along the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, County Ireland. Picture: Facebook

“It’s very concerning that Ashling’s killer could have been in the same area trying to identify other innocent women,” a source told the British publication.

“This was a random and barbaric attack on a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her.”

Officers are currently conducting house searches to gather key DNA evidence as part of their investigation and are trying to identify a man captured on CCTV riding a similar bike near the crime scene around the time of the murder.

Vigils have been held in Ms Murphy’s honour, as many express shock at her horrifying death.

Heartbroken family attended a vigil on the Grand Canal Walk where her dad Ray Murphy was seen breaking down in tears.

Runners in Ireland, the UK and Australia also held gatherings in Ms Murphy’s name, in a stand of solidarity against sexual violence.

Many have gathered in a stand of solidarity against sexual violence. Picture: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

The talented musician is believed to have ‘fought back’ during her attack. Picture: Facebook

Ashling Murphy was still alive when discovered by two women on Wednesday afternoon. They alerted emergency services who tried to give medical attention but unfortunately the 23-year-old could not be saved.

As well as being a teacher, Ms Murphy has been described as a “talented musician”.

A 40-year-old man was initially held by police for questioning but was later released without charge.