A former model was stabbed and left to die by her partner while he faked knife wounds to himself to make it look like she had attacked him, say police in Canada.

Russian national Marina Nagoliya, 43, was found dead inside her home in Richmond Hill, Greater Toronto, on 25th August after neighbours called police.

Her bartender boyfriend Daniil Matin, 35, was found in another room with what Russian media say were self-inflicted knife wounds.

Police believe he deliberately cut himself after killing twice-married mum-of-one Marina to make it look as if she had attacked him.

The pair had been home for just two days following a holiday in Cuba with Marina’s eight-year-old daughter, who was staying with her dad when her mum was killed.

Russian media report that healthcare worker Marina had been trying to dump Matin because of his drug use and he flew into a rage and killed her.

Marina’s mother Nadezhda Georgieva, told Russian media: “Marina never really told me anything about him. I know he was rarely at home. He worked a lot.

“Marina’s daughter grew fond of him. I didn’t pry into their lives.”

She went on: “Marina’s friends didn’t like him right away because he was constantly lying to them.

“He never revealed his real name, he behaved mysteriously.

“In addition, according to her friends, they caught him using drugs. Marina kicked him out of the house and wanted to break up with him.

“But he wouldn’t leave her alone.

“He insisted on going to Cuba for a holiday with her and her daughter. Everything seemed happy in the photos.

“They returned from Cuba on 23rd August, and he killed her on the 25th.”

Matin has been charged with second-degree murder and has requested to be released on bail.