The guest house landlady murdered in Bridlington has been named as Bel Carter.
Mrs Carter, 49, was the landlady of the Morayland Hotel where suspect John Heald was staying.
Humberside Police want to find Mr Heald, 53, from South Yorkshire, as part of the murder investigation.
Officers were called to the Morayland Hotel in Marshall Avenue shortly before midnight on Friday.
Mrs Carter was found dead after suffering critical injuries.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Baldwin, senior investigating officer, said: "A team of detectives has been working throughout the day to trace Mr Heald and we are currently following up a number of lines of enquiry.
"We believe it is likely he has left the Humberside area and may have travelled into neighbouring force areas and so we have been working closely with colleagues across the region.
"At this time Mr Heald remains outstanding and it is a priority for the police to locate and speak to him.
"I consider Mr Heald to be dangerous and members of the public should not approach him instead they should ring 999 immediately.
"We believe he could be looking for accommodation and so it is extremely important that any hoteliers, who are approached by him for a room, do not allow him into their premises and contact the police straight away."
Friend and neighbour Dave Ellis, 64, paid tribute to Mrs Carter who ran the hotel with her husband Terry.
He said: "I knew Bei very well and we were over there every day to look after Terry's mother who is 88 years old.
"Bei was a unique lady who was very friendly and always asked you to try her Chinese food.
"She was lovely and why someone would want to hurt her I just don't know. She was so kind and gentle."
Mr Heald is white, slim, with short, grey hair. When last seen he was wearing smart jeans and had a distinctive diamond stud earring in his right ear.
Anyone with information should contact Humberside Police immediately on 01377 208989.
