DUBAI // The headless, dismembered body of a woman has been found in Dubai’s International City.
The body was found by police and forensics teams are trying to identify the woman, the circumstances of her death and the motives for her murder.
Residents of the development off Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road said they were shocked to hear about the grisly find.
Yssa Mallorca, 38, from the Philippines, has been living in the area for seven years.
“We didn’t hear about this particular woman, but I saw a picture of a dead women on Facebook a couple of weeks ago and the police were asking if anyone can identify her,” said Ms Mallorca.
“I don’t think those crimes happen very often here and I still feel very safe.”
She said she did not worry about her personal safety in International City and that the police continuously patrolled the area.
“I see them when I go jogging at night and I never feel afraid walking alone even if it’s 1am,” she said.
Marritez Caber, 48, agreed. She said police patrol cars and building security guards are an ever present.
“I think there are enough police patrols and I think this crime was an [isolated] incident,” she said. “We all know Dubai is safe and we don’t usually worry about these things.
Mohammed H, who has lived in International City for two years, said he heard about the body of a woman being found.
“I heard about something like this,” he said. “It is shocking that the woman was found [decapitated] though, nonetheless, Dubai is safe and I am happy to be living here.”
Jaysel Bucala, 23, moved to the area less than a year ago.
“I did not hear anything and, yes, it is a little scary, but this kind of stuff happens everywhere in the world,” she said. “Dubai is still the safest city I know.”
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae