A BRIT mum-of-four who was found dead outside her property in France has been identified as 65-year-old Karen Carter
A manhunt has now been launched for her killer following the "frenzied attack" in the sleepy village of Trémolat, east of Bordeaux.
She is believed to have suffered the "savage attack" on Tuesday evening following a night out with a male friend at a local bar.
A source close to the matter said: "A man called the emergency services after finding her covered in stab wounds.
They added that she suffered "five deep injuries" which pointed to "ferocious violence and a desire to kill"
The British-South African parent was found outside and near her car, according to the source.
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She tragically died at the scene despite attempts to save her - after medics arrived and found her in "cardio-respiratory arrest".
Bergerac prosecutor Sylvie Martins-Guedes confirmed that an enquiry had been opened, and that local cops were investigating a suspected murder.
She said: "A search has been launched to identify and arrest the perpetrator."
Possible motives include robbery, she added.
Local media described Carter as a "British national" who was an "active participant in Trémolat life".
She had reportedly spent the evening in Trémolat with a friend with whom she had been in a relationship for several weeks.
It was also said that the same man tried to administer first aid at the scene of the killing.
Karen was married to Alan Carter, also 65, who at one point worked for the London Stock Exchange.
She owned and managed two guest houses in Trémolat.
On her website she wrote about her properties: "We would love to welcome you to visit our beautiful cottage in the Dordogne Valley, France."
Heartfelt tributes for the mum poured in from players of her over-50s football team, Reines du Foot.
One team member said: "Everyone is in shock. Karen was super helpful, she was kindness personified."
The tragic Brit was also involved in running the community café in Tremolat.
A Trémolat resident said: "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."
She said that "nobody can understand how this could have happened in a peaceful place like this" and that many residents were "keeping our doors locked".
The woman's friend is reportedly not in custody, and the Bergerac prosecutor explained that "all avenues are being explored".
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The Sun reached out to the Foreign Office for comment.
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