Menomonie police are interviewing two women who they say may have information about the death of a University of Wisconsin-Stout student from Saudi Arabia last month.
Hussain Saeed Alnahdi, 24, died Halloween weekend after he was assaulted around bar closing time in downtown Menomonie. No one has been arrested in connection with the altercation that occurred about 2 a.m. Oct. 30 outside Toppers Pizza on the 400 block of Main Street E.
On Monday, police released photos of two women who they say may know something. By Tuesday morning police had identified the women and were talking with them to see what they might know about the case, Cmdr. Todd Swartz said.
"The investigation of Hussain Alnahdi's death is progressing and we are still interviewing people that may have information," Menomonie Police Chief Eric Atkinson said.
Meanwhile, after consulting with the Dunn County medical examiner, police on Monday said that Alnahdi died of a traumatic brain injury, according to a preliminary autopsy. The final autopsy report will be finished after investigators determine results of toxicology testing, police said.
The death of Alnahdi, who was from Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, and was a junior majoring in business administration, has shaken the campus.
"His death last week was a tragedy, not only for his family and friends but also for our communities," UW-Stout Chancellor Bob Meyer wrote on his campus blog Nov. 10. "By all accounts, this young man from Saudi Arabia was an enthusiastic, well-liked and a valued member of the UW-Stout campus community, and it is clear he will be missed and remembered. I take heart in the strong message coming from both the campus and Menomonie community recognizing that so much more draws us together as people than divides us. As many have said, `This is not us.'"
Earlier this month, Meyer and Atkinson announced a $15,000 reward.
