A Christian couple who took in Liverpool terror suspect Emad al Swealmeen after he came to the UK are shattered by the news of his death as they "loved him".
Police believe Al Swealmeen died when an improvised explosive device went off in a taxi outside Liverpool Women's Hospital just before 11am on Sunday, November 14.
He was named by the authorities on Monday - as it emerged he may have converted to Christianity after arriving in Britain.
READ MORE: Face of terror suspect after Liverpool Women's Hospital attack
Mirror Online reports Malcolm and Elizabeth Hitchcott took in Al Swealmeen after first meeting him in 2015.
Mrs Hitchcott said: “It’s so terribly sad. We just loved him. He was a lovely guy and we are so shocked. It’s all too much.”
The couple said he arrived in the UK via Dubai in 2014 seeking asylum. It is believed his case was rejected at first before he renewed his application in November 2017.
The couple said he was born in Iraq, where his mum came from, while his father was from Syria.
They added he never spoke about his time in Syria and Iraq or about Islam.
Mr Hitchcott said: “He came to the Cathedral seeking to learn Christianity, he was looking to convert. He did get confirmed on 27th March 2017.”
Al Swealmeen lived with the couple for eight months in 2016 and they said he was a "quiet and well mannered" man who was also quite artistic.
Mr Hitchcott said: "We are shocked because a less likely candidate you could not imagine."
The ECHO sought to speak with the Hitchcotts but they stated that they "do not wish to be disturbed".
Reports claimed Al Swealmeen also went by the name Enzo Almeni.
It is also claimed he experienced mental health problems and had a conviction for carrying a knife — but he was not known to MI5.
Police are searching addresses on Rutland Avenue near Sefton Park and Sutcliffe Street in the Kensington area, where officers say Al Swealmeen previously lived.
Greater Manchester counter-terror police said "significant items" were recovered from Rutland Avenue.
Mr Hitchcott said the suspect was "destitute" around the time he was confirmed as a Christian.
Naming the suspect on Monday evening DCI Andrew Meeks, from Counter-Terrorism Policing North West, said: ''Our enquiries are very much ongoing but at this stage we strongly believe that the deceased is 32 year old Emad Al Swealmeen.
"Al Swealmeen is connected to both the Rutland Avenue and Sutcliffe Street addresses where searches are still ongoing.
"We believe he lived at the Sutcliffe Street address for some time and had recently rented the Rutland Avenue address.
"Our focus is the Rutland Avenue address where we have continued to recover significant items.
"We continue to appeal for any information about this incident and now that we have released his name any information that the public may have about Al Swealmeen no matter how small may be of great assistance to us.''
Four men were also arrested under terrorism laws in the Kensington area of Liverpool, but were released from custody after police were satisfied with their accounts.
Police added Rutland Avenue has become central to the investigation.
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