The 20-year-old suspect behind the shocking murder of Paulina Dembska in Sliema has been referred to Mount Carmel, police have confirmed with Lovin Malta.

The man, who is from Żejtun, was referred to the mental health care facility following interviews with doctors. Police interrogations have since been suspended. 

Dembska, police said, was living in a hostel in Sliema and was in Malta as a student. 

Investigations into the murder are still underway. Police will give an update on the case later in the day. 

Dembska’s body was discovered on 2nd January’s at 6.30am. Homicide and district police launched an investigation and arrested the man in the Balluta area shortly afterwards. Investigations are ongoing.

The national broadcaster, TVM, has claimed that there were signs of sexual assault on Dembska’s body.

The main suspect, a 20-year-old man from Żejtun, allegedly appeared at the Balluta Church, which is close to where Dembska was discovered, sometime around 6am.

He reportedly approached the altar and caused some havoc, overturning some seats. Sources said that when a man approached him to usher him away, the suspect referred to what he had done with a woman moments before.

Dembska’s body was discovered half an hour later.