Dubai, United Arab Emirates — A Russian flight attendant recently found dead in a luxury hotel in Dubai had expressed fears for her safety weeks before her untimely death. Friends say 25-year-old Anastasia Nikulina relocated from St. Petersburg in search of a fresh start, escaping an allegedly abusive and obsessive former partner.
Nikulina’s body was discovered in her room at the Voco Bonnington Dubai hotel after she suffered multiple stab wounds. With 15 wounds to her neck, torso, and limbs, hotel staff found her lying in a pool of blood. It is reported that she had traveled to Dubai for a job interview with another airline when the tragedy occurred.
According to friends, Nikulina had made desperate attempts to leave her troubled past behind her. The prospect of a new job was seen as her last chance to flee from a situation that had descended into years of intimidation, harassment, and violence by her former partner.
The primary suspect in her murder is Albert Robertovich Morgan, 41, who had been identified as her ex-lover and alleged stalker. Investigators believe he traveled to Dubai with a companion, allegedly turning the flight attendant’s hopes into a nightmare. Following the murder, the pair swiftly returned to Russia, where Morgan was arrested after his arrival.
In a harrowing twist, police reports indicate that Morgan’s accomplice was instrumental in gaining access to Nikulina’s hotel room. Described as a bailiff from St. Petersburg, the accomplice reportedly tracked Nikulina through the hotel lobby. Morgan allegedly stole a hotel robe from the laundry and convinced a maid to let him into the room, claiming he had lost his key.
Once inside, a confrontation ensued. Allegations suggest Morgan accused Nikulina of infidelity and, in a fit of rage, stabbed her several times. Disturbingly, reports claim he poured antiseptic dye over her body before fleeing the scene.
Nikulina had reportedly tried to extricate herself from this toxic relationship on multiple occasions, even offering Morgan significant sums of money to leave her alone. For nearly two years, she navigated a harrowing existence under his shadow, with friends revealing that her attempts to seek help from authorities were largely ignored, despite numerous complaints about his behavior.
Three weeks before her murder, Nikulina recorded a video, predicting her own death. In this recording, she explicitly named Morgan as the source of her torment, detailing his history of violence and the inadequacy of police protection. Following her tragic demise, her prediction serves as a heart-wrenching reminder of the urgent need for better protections against stalking and domestic violence.
The circumstances surrounding her death have drawn condemnation and shock, highlighting flaws in how victims of stalking are treated. Advocacy groups are now calling for improved vigilance and response times to help those in victimized situations, emphasizing that no one should live in fear.