A recent graduate of the University of Cambridge has been arrested in Hong Kong in connection with what appears to be a grisly double murder.

Rurik Jutting, 29, a Peterhouse alumnus and former Secretary for the History Society (CLIO), worked for Bank of America Merrill Lynch in their Hong Kong office until recently, a spokesman for the bank confirmed. He had reportedly vanished from his place of work last week.

Mr Jutting, who graduated in 2008 after reading History, was arrested after allegedly calling police in the early hours of the morning on Saturday. Upon their arrival at his apartment in Wan Chai district, a body was found, thought to be that of Sumarti Ningsih, a 25-year-old woman from Indonesia. Fatal stab wounds were discovered on the victim’s body.

The police searched the apartment further, only to discover a second body. Her identity remains unclear, but the deceased appears to be a 30-year-old woman from the Philippines. The second victim, whom local media have identified a part-time DJ, is suspected of having been dead for at least five days before the police were summoned to Mr Jutting’s apartment.

A neighbour in the building told reporters for the South China Morning Post that he had noticed “a stink in the building like a dead animal”. The second body was severely decomposed, and was found inside a carpet rolled up in a suitcase on the balcony.

The Morning Post further quoted police sources who alleged that photographs of Ms Ningsih, taken after her death, had been found on Mr Jutting’s mobile phone. “Police are investigating whether there are more victims,” said the Morning Post’s source.

The two victims are believed to have been working in the sex industry at the time of their deaths, and police are extending their inquiries to bars, pubs and vice establishments throughout Hong Kong. A small quantity of cocaine was found at Mr Jutting’s residence and the Morning Post reported that he was “dazed” when he was arrested. Police have been unable to take a statement from Mr Jutting thus far.

In Hong Kong, police can hold a suspect for up to 48 hours without charging or releasing them. The Foreign Office confirmed the arrest, saying: "We are in touch with the local police and stand ready to provide consular assistance.”

In a statement to Varsity, Alison Humphreys, the current President of CLIO, said that the society “does not keep any information about its previous committee members and is therefore unable to comment on the matter.”