Florida socialite and celebrity decorator, 52, murdered in Bangkok hotel room by 'Indian boyfriend, 26'

By Rachel Quigley

Last updated at 4:41 PM on 16th February 2012

An international murder investigation has been launched after an American socialite and interior designer was murdered in her luxury Bangkok hotel room.

Wendy Albano, from Florida, who is known to have decorated Derek Jeter's $20 million Manhattan home, was found stabbed to death by a maid on Monday morning.

The U.S. Embassy in Thailand broke the news to Ms Albano's family earlier this week.

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Police believe Wendy Albano, left, was strangled and stabbed to death in her Bangkok hotel room by her Indian boyfriend and business associate, right, who is still at large

Police believe the 52-year-old was murdered by her Indian boyfriend, who she was seen checking into the hotel with on February 9.

According to News 13, the pair met through business and were working on a fashion import project together.

But they are also believed to have been dating each other since meeting through work.

He is 26-years-old.

The socialite checked into the Fraser Suites Sukhumvit on February 9 and was last seen on the hotel's surveillance camera on Sunday evening with the Indian man.

Police say he has since fled the country and is still at large.

Decorator to the stars: Wendy is known to have decorated Derek Jeter's $20 million Manhattan home

Family: Wendy leaves behind two daughters, Lauren and Jenny, who are trying to cope with their devastating loss

Detectives said surveillance video caught the suspect leaving Albano's room with luggage an hour after he entered.

Police believe the couple got into an argument and he killed her.

No one else was captured entering or leaving her room until the maid discovered the body the next morning.

She was choked and stabbed multiple times in the chest. Immigration said he left the country three hours after he was captured leaving her hotel room.

Her friends have said she may have had the intention of breaking up with the Indian man.

Hotel: The socialite checked into the Fraser Suites Sukhumvit on February 9 and was last seen on the hotel's surveillance camera on Sunday evening

Luxury suite: A maid at the hotel found Wendy in her hotel room (not pictured) on Monday morning where she had been stabbed multiple times in the chest

Ms Albano's family said she first met him when she did some business with him in India.

One of the designer's daughter told the Tampa Bay Times: 'I loved my mother dearly. Obviously, we're just trying to work through this the best we can.'

Twice married and divorced, Ms Albano leaves behind two daughters Jenny and Lauren. Her interior design business Wendy Albano Interiors was used by many high-profile celebrities.

Friends say Albano was 'talented and had an 'artistic flair'. She had been in the interior design business for 20 years.

Famous clients: Wendy is said to have decorated Derek Jeter's $20 million apartment in Trump World Tower, New York

Wendy and daughter: Police believe the socialite, right, was arguing with her Indian boyfriend when he killed her

Remembered: The 52-year-old was called a great mother and 'fantastic soul' by her friends

Close friend Maxine Stull told the Tampa Bay Times she was considering moving in with her friend. she has known her since college.

She said the last time they spoke, it was on the phone shortly before she left for Thailand.

Ms Stull recalls how happy her friend was and chatting about the man she was dating.

'She was always so positive,' she said. 'What happened, that's the kind of thing that didn't happen in her world.'

Another friend Denise Brown told Fox: 'She was the type of person that would give her love to anybody. She was a loving mother and a fantastic soul.'

Indian boyfriend a suspect in murder of Tampa woman in Thailand: MyFoxTAMPABAY.com

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Florida socialite and celebrity decorator, 52, murdered in Bangkok hotel room by 'Indian boyfriend, 26'