A murder investigation has been launched after a mother and daughter were stabbed to death in a Solihull street in the early hours of Monday morning.
Detectives are hunting Janbaz Tarin, 21, who is believed to be the former partner of victim Raneem Oudeh, 22, who was killed with her mother, Khaola Saleem, 49, West Midlands Police said.
Officers were called to Northdown Road shortly after 12.30am and discovered the two women with serious stab wounds.
The pair were confirmed dead at the scene and the area has been cordoned off.
In a statement released through police, the women’s family paid tribute to them.
They said: “Our family is devastated with the loss of our loved ones.
“We would like to give thanks for all the love and support we have received.
“We kindly request that our privacy is respected at this difficult time.”
Police said officers had a number of lines of enquiry to trace Tarin but are yet to find him.
Detective Inspector Caroline Corfield, who is leading the investigation, said: “We’ve been working flat out to apprehend Tarin since the early hours of this morning, following up a number of lines of enquiry.
“As we have so far not been able to locate Tarin, I’m now asking for the public’s help in tracing him.
“If there’s anyone out there who may be shielding him through a sense of misguided loyalty, they need to be aware that they are committing an offence and will be prosecuted.
“My message to Tarin would be that it’s vitally important that we get to speak to you as soon as possible, so please do the right thing and let us know where you are.”
The force advised anyone who sees Tarin not to approach him but to ring 999 immediately.
Neighbours earlier told how they heard noise outside during the early-hours attack and one woman said she saw a man leaving the scene in a van.
One woman living nearby told the Press Association: “I thought it was foxes screaming. She (one of the victims) was absolutely screaming her head off. He wasn’t speaking English, that’s for sure. He shouted something and then ran off.
“There was a lot of screaming and shouting and then I saw the guy run off. About a minute later I saw him leave in a van.”
The neighbour, who said she was “stunned” by what had happened, said she did not know the victims, adding that “they kept themselves to themselves”.
Another neighbour said he was woken at around 12.30am by screaming but assumed it was just people coming home from a night out.
The father-of-two, who also declined to give his name, said: “Then police knocked on my door and asked for some towels, so I knew at that point it was serious.
“I’ve got a young family so I was worried about what was going on.”
Detectives are examining CCTV footage and carrying out house-to-house enquiries.
There will be a visible presence in the area over the coming days, police said.
Forensics tents were erected on the front lawn of a property which was cordoned off by police tape in the road on Monday morning.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact 999.