Karen Carter, a 65-year-old British-South African woman who had been living in the French region of Dordogne for several years, was found stabbed to death outside her home in the village of Trémolat, in the southwest of France. Her remains were found at about 10:15pm on Tuesday evening.

Authorities have confirmed that a 69-year-old woman, believed to be known to both the victim and her husband, has been placed in custody as part of the investigation. According to the Bergerac public prosecutor, the suspect is a resident of Trémolat.

Prosecutor, Sylvie Martins-Guedes said: "A woman aged 69-years-old, who comes from Trémolat and is part of the couple’s circle, has been detained." The prosecutor previously stated that the injuries to the breast, groin, arm and leg were "particularly violent" and "demonstrated an intent to kill."

This is the second person to be taken into custody in this case.

The man with whom she had reportedly been in a relationship for several weeks, who discovered her body, was also questioned by investigators before being released. 

The victim's husband, with whom she was in the process of divorcing, was in the UK at the time of the incident and was informed of the death via phone call.

On Thursday, Martins-Guedes, said: "Despite resuscitation provided by first responders and emergency services, the victim died. She had been discovered by a friend with whom she had been in a relationship for several weeks.

"They had spent the evening together in Tremolat with friends and then returned to the victim’s home, whom she said had arrived only about ten minutes before her.

"He discovered her collapsed and unconscious near her vehicle with bleeding wounds, and he immediately called emergency services, administering first aid himself.

"The victim had several injuries, including five deep ones caused by a sharp object, notably on her right breast, groin, arm, and leg. The injuries were particularly violent, and their location demonstrated an intent to kill."

A long-time resident of the village and a mother of four, she was known for her involvement in local life and operated guest accommodations popular with British tourists.

A Trémolat resident said in tribute: "Everyone is in total shock. Ms Carter was a delightful, energetic person who got on with everybody. We saw emergency vehicles in the village, and then lots of police cars, and then the area around her house was cordoned off.

"Nobody can understand how this could have happened in a peaceful place like this. We are all keeping our doors locked. It is really worrying."