Pictured: Irish businessman who ‘slit his ex-girlfriend’s throat’ in Malta before being shot dead by police after holding a replica gun to his head

Photos have now emerged of an Irish businessman allegedly slitting his ex-girlfriend’s throat before being shot dead by police in Malta.

The man, described by local media as Edward William Johnston, 50, is accused of stabbing Nicolette Ghirxi, 48, to death before becoming embroiled in a three-hour standoff with police in the St Julian’s area on Monday morning.

The stabbing victim, who is from the Mediterranean island, is said to have filed two reports of harassment against Johnston earlier this year.

She also told police that she believed her ex was in Malta a few days ago, but that she refused to undergo a domestic violence assessment because she did not believe her safety was at risk.

Johnston, from Dublin, is described as an “Irish man and ex-soldier”, although a security source confirmed he was never a member of the Irish Defence Forces.

His social media profiles show that he ran a trading company called Sambora Trading Academy and also had a YouTube channel where he gave advice to his followers on how to become successful in the industry.

He claimed that he had worked for years at a middle management level in a distribution and logistics company.

According to reports, Johnston allegedly slit Ms Ghirxi’s throat with a knife in her apartment in the town of Birkirkara.

He is then said to have fled and entered a hotel in St Julian’s around midnight, where he threatened staff.

When police were called, Johnston was seen walking towards the shoreline behind the hotel, holding an object that has now been confirmed to be a replica firearm.

A three-hour standoff ensued as negotiators tried to convince him to surrender peacefully, but Johnston walked into the sea with the gun pointed at his head.

According to Malta Today, he started shouting at the police and asked them if they were ready to die, “because I am ready”.

Sources told the publication he was shot four times in the chest after pointing his imitation weapon at officers.

During this ordeal, the officers entered Ms. Ghirxi’s apartment at around 2 a.m., where they found her lifeless body and two knives next to her.

During a press conference after the confrontation with Johnston, Police Chief Angelo Gafa said they decided to open fire because they considered it a life-threatening situation.

He said the shooting happened around 3 a.m. in “pitch black” and confirmed that Johnston died in hospital shortly afterwards.

Mr Gafa explained that Johnston arrived at the Hilton hotel around midnight and asked for a drink, but pulled out a replica Beretta pistol when he was told the bar was closed.

Employees then contacted police and reported that a man had a gun and confessed to having just killed someone. “Employees and police both thought it was a real weapon,” the commissioner said.

He added: ‘It was pitch black and even in daylight it would have been difficult to determine whether it was genuine until it was opened.’

According to Mr Gafa, the victim and the alleged perpetrator were in a relationship that had ended in divorce.

Although Ms Ghirxi has not filed any complaints of violence, she filed two harassment complaints against Johnston in April and May this year after he sent her a series of emails that raised concerns.

However, she did not pursue her complaints further as she did not believe she was in danger.

The senior police official added that the victim had informed the Maltese authorities in July about defamatory posts about her on social media.

And last Thursday at around 9pm, Ms Ghirxi informed police that Johnston might be in Malta.

“The victim herself told us that she did not feel threatened and the messages we saw indicated that as well,” said Gafa.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it was aware of the matter and was providing consular assistance.

“As with all consular matters, the department does not comment on the details of individual cases,” it added. The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, who is from Malta, said Ms Ghirxi “should still be alive today”.

“Instead, Malta must bury another daughter,” she said on social media. “Our grief must be turned into action. Our anger must fuel change. The epidemic of violence against women cannot continue.”

“Not another one. Be their voice.”

Close friends of Ms Ghirxi have expressed their shock on social media.

Someone wrote: ‘Today is a day of sadness as we mourn the loss of a truly beautiful human being.

‘Nicolette Ghirxi, you always had a radiant smile that could light up any room.

“We shared many childhood memories together, spent our summer vacations playing Monopoly at your or my house. You were by my side when I got my first pet… May you rest in peace, Nicolette. You will be greatly missed.”

A colleague of the victim added: ‘Too upset, shocked and angry to express what I really feel right now. Nicolette was my colleague – a wise, busy and competent woman.’