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Relationship and Targeted Nature of the Assault-Highly placed investigative sources indicate that the attack was not a random act of violence but a "contained domestic incident." Deara Sadiq and the victim were known to each other, with local reports suggesting a volatile personal relationship that culminated in the early-morning assault. By focusing the investigation on Sadiq's immediate social and family network, police aim to squeeze his support system. While official police channels have not yet released the specific ethnic or national origins of either party, Sadiq is identified as a local Coventry man, and the search is heavily concentrated within the city's diverse Hillfields community, where both the suspect and victim have established ties, Daily Dazzling Dawn realised.
Detectives from the West Midlands Police have launched an urgent regional manhunt for 21-year-old desi Deara Sadiq, identifying him as the prime suspect in a horrific domestic-linked stabbing. The incident, which unfolded at a residential property on Swanswell Street at approximately 4:30 AM on February 18, 2026, left a young woman in her 20s with multiple life-threatening injuries. Forensic teams and domestic abuse specialists have spent the last 24 hours processing the scene, with the victim currently fighting for her life in a high-dependency trauma unit.
Police Status and Public Safety Alert-
West Midlands Police have issued a "Level 1" priority alert for Sadiq’s arrest. A spokesperson confirmed that the suspect should be considered dangerous and urged the public to dial 999 immediately rather than approaching him. The victim’s condition remains "serious but stable," and officers are hopeful that her testimony will provide the final legal grounding needed for an attempted murder charge. In the meantime, border forces and regional transport hubs have been notified to ensure Sadiq does not attempt to flee the Coventry area.
Investigation-The focus of the operation has now shifted to "digital tracking" and the surveillance of known associates. Detectives are expected to release enhanced CCTV images of Sadiq’s escape route within the next few hours to solicit more public leads. Legally, the severity of the "multiple wounds" suggests that once apprehended, Sadiq will face the highest tier of assault charges under the 2026 criminal guidelines. Community leaders in Coventry are also being engaged to assist in a peaceful surrender, as the police presence in Hillfields remains significantly heightened to prevent further escalation.
