A British woman has been found "stabbed to death" outside her home in the Dordogne region of France, French authorities have said.
Karen Carter, 65, was discovered "collapsed and unconscious" near her car in the village of Trémolat on Tuesday.
French authorities have opened a murder inquiry after what the prosecutor described as an attack of "singular violence".
The victim suffered "several wounds, of which five were deep and caused by a sharp object, notably to the chest, the groin, the arm and the leg", according to Bergerac prosecutor Sylvie Martins-Guedes.
A British woman has been found 'stabbed to death' outside her home in the Dordogne region of France, French authorities have said
"The wounds revealed a singular violence and their placement showed the desire to kill," Martins-Guedes said.
An investigating source described it as a "frenzied attack".
Carter had gone out on Tuesday with a friend "with whom she had started a relationship a few weeks ago", the prosecutor said.
The pair had visited other friends, but she returned home before him.
Local media reported that they had spent the evening at a café-bar in the area.
The man told police he returned about ten minutes after Carter and "discovered her collapsed and unconscious near her car, with bleeding wounds".
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He immediately performed first aid and called emergency services.
When medics arrived, they found Carter "in cardio-respiratory arrest" and despite their efforts to revive her, she died at the scene.
Police from Bergerac and nearby Agen are investigating the murder, with all lines of inquiry remaining open.
The male friend was questioned by police but released without charge, according to French media.
Carter was a mother of four and described as a "well-liked and active member of the local community".
She is understood to have helped out in Trémolat's non-profit café.
French authorities have opened a murder inquiry after what the prosecutor described as an attack of 'singular violence' (stock image)
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The establishment was due to hold an event on Wednesday evening, but this was cancelled "because of a death", according to a sign posted outside.
The brutal killing has left residents of the small rural commune in "total shock".
The quiet village of Trémolat, where Carter is thought to have lived for several years, has been shaken by the violent incident.
An investigating source said desperate efforts are now underway to identify and find the attacker.
