A young Russian flight attendant who moved to Dubai in a desperate attempt to escape an alleged stalker has been found brutally murdered in a five-star hotel.
A New Life Abroad Ends in Tragedy
Anastasia Nikulina, aged 25 from St Petersburg, had secured a job interview in the United Arab Emirates, hoping to start afresh far from the man she said had tormented her for almost two years. Her friend stated she feared the nightmare would 'go on forever' if she remained in Russia.
Tragically, her hope was shattered. On December 26, 2025, hotel staff discovered her body in a pool of blood at the Voco Bonnington Dubai hotel. She had suffered 15 stab wounds to her neck, torso, and limbs.
The Chilling Details of the Attack
Dubai police swiftly identified the primary suspect as Albert Morgan, a 41-year-old man with a criminal past who had served a seven-year jail term for drug offences. According to reports, Morgan and an accomplice, a bailiff from St Petersburg, followed Nikulina to Dubai.
The alleged accomplice tracked her from the hotel lobby to learn her room number. Morgan then stole a hotel robe from a laundry area and tricked a maid into opening the door by claiming he had forgotten his key.
Once inside, police reports indicate Morgan confronted Nikulina, accusing her of working as an escort. Russian media outlet Komsomolskaya Pravda reported that as she lay dying, he poured antiseptic dye over her body before fleeing the scene.
A History of Harassment and a Suspect's Escape
Nikulina's ordeal was not new. For nearly two years, she reported that Morgan stalked her, beat her, and broke into her home. In a previous attempt to stop the harassment, she reportedly paid him £10,000, but it was to no avail.
After the killing, Morgan boarded a flight back to St Petersburg. Upon landing, and before his detention, he allegedly requested to be sent to fight in the war against Ukraine. Under Russian law, this is a method some alleged criminals use in attempts to evade justice.
However, Russian law enforcement arrested him after being notified by Dubai police, who used hotel CCTV to identify him. Footage shows Morgan wearing a hat and mask in a Russian court, where he was remanded in custody for two months in connection with the murder.
The case highlights a horrifying instance of international stalking and violence, cutting short a young woman's bid for safety and a new beginning.
