The Tilbury man who is a prime suspect in the murder of a Grays man could be using the alias 'Marco Costa’, police said today.

Ali Qazimaj, 42, has sparked an international hunt by police after last being seen boarding a Dover ferry on Saturday June 4 at 7.30pm.

Detectives believe Qazimaj may be connected to the murder of Peter Stuart, 75, whose body was found stabbed to death in woodland in Weybread, Suffolk, on Friday evening.

His wife Sylvia Stuart, 69, is still missing and has not been seen since Saturday, May 28. 

Suffolk detectives said today they “urgently need” the public’s help with tracing and locating the suspect.

Qazimaj was working in Purfleet as a forklift driver prior to the murder, with a last known address in Tilbury.

He was said by police to have come to the UK following the conflict in Kosovo, Yugoslavia, and is also believed to have been connected to addresses in Chadwell St Mary and Grays.

Suffolk detectives today launched an urgent appeal to the public to help trace his previous movements in Thurrock. 

In a statement, police said they "strongly believe" Qazimaj boarded a passenger ferry unaccompanied to Calais in France soon after 7pm.

Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Parkes said: “Officers now know he uses the alias Marco Costa. It is believed he came to the UK following the conflict in Yugoslavia.

"We strongly believe that finding Ali Qazimaj will help us in locating Sylvia, who has now not been seen for nearly 10 days.

"We know that he was living in Tilbury in Essex and that he has been working in Purfleet as a forklift driver.

“We believe he is from Kosovo, that he sought asylum following the conflict and was granted this and given a British passport. We also know he has used the name Marco Costa.

"Our enquiries continue to learn more about his roots and his links within the UK and overseas.

“We urgently need anyone who knows him, who may have spent time with him over the last few weeks or before this to get in touch and tell us more about his background so that we can trace his movements.

"We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen him between Sunday May 29 and when he left the country on Saturday 4 June, or anyone who can shed light on where he may have been between these times.”

Mr Qazimaj is described as white, around 5ft 6ins tall, with brown eyes and dark brown greying hair.

Police have urged caution in approaching anyone who matches his description.

CCTV enquiries have now placed Sylvia and Peter Stuart at Goodies Farm Shop on Wood Lane in Pulham Market at 10:18 on Sunday May 29 and footage has been released.

Officers are also appealing for anyone who may have seen them or who has information regarding their whereabouts from this time until Friday June 3 to get in touch.