Updated | Autopsy confirms David Abela was stabbed to death • Police probe victim’s private life

The motive behind David Abela’s murder has not yet been established but investigators are focusing their attention on Abela’s private life.

The autopsy, carried out today, confirmed that Abela was stabbed multiple times to his neck and chest.

Sources said that no suspicious activity was picked up by CCTV footage. Abela's BMW, which the police couldn't find in Swieqi, was found on Tuesday evening in Pembroke.

The 51-year-old businessman, father of four, was found dead in the bedroom at his Swieqi residence in Triq il-Gizi, which he shared with his partner. Abela had three children from his first marriage.

It was his partner, Irina Alexandrova Micallef, 29, who found Abela dead upon her return home from abroad, and walked straight onto the macabre scene. He was naked, wrapped in a blood-soaked sheet, bound and gagged with duct tape.

In this photo uploaded last summer on her Facebook profile, Irina and David pose for a selfie

Alexandrova Micallef has two sons, one of whom is aged four and is Abela's.

Abela was the owner of 21st Century Travel and one of the directors of Aviaserve Ltd, among other positions held in companies related to the tourism industry.

Investigators, whilst not excluding any possibilities, do not believe that Abela’s murder is linked to the business he conducted. Informed sources also said that the murder was unrelated to the recent wave of crimes.

Abela’s body was discovered around 5pm on Monday afternoon, although it is understood that he may have been dead for some 12 hours. There was no sign of forced entry, suggesting that the victim may have known the aggressor.

MaltaToday understands that the police have also spoken to Alexandrova Micallef. According to sources, the couple had been going through a rough patch. Net News also reported that Abela had filed a police report in connection with the turbulent relationship.