New Forest death: Pennie Davis was found stabbed to death at Hampshire beauty spot after tending to horses

Her body was found by her husband of four months in field

Detectives from Hampshire Constabulary say they believe Penelope Anne Davis, 47, was tending her horse shortly before she was killed (PA)

Police have launched a murder investigation after a mother of five was found stabbed to death in the heart of the Hampshire beauty spot.

Detectives from Hampshire Constabulary say they believe Pennie Davis, 47, was tending her horse in the New Forest national park shortly before she was killed.

Her body was found in a field in Lyndhurst Road, Beaulieu just after 4.40pm on Tuesday afternoon, about half-a-mile from the famous Beaulieu National Motor Museum.

She was found by her husband Pete, who she had married just four months before.

A witness told The Mirror her husband was seen "was sobbing his heart out on the ground" at the scene. Police said he is “extremely traumatised” by the incident.

Ms Davis is understood to have visited the field daily to tend to her horses.

Her family paid tribute to their "beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend" today. A statement released through police said: "Pennie was a remarkable person. She was a devoted mother of five children who worked hard to ensure that they had everything they needed. She cared for and supported them in everything they did.

"In May she married her love, Pete, at a joyful occasion surrounded by her loved ones.

"Pennie was the kind of woman who once she became your friend she was a friend for life. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and grief that her death has caused.

"She was particularly close to her mother who is devastated by her death and who joins the whole family in appealing to everyone for help in finding the perpetrator of this crime."

A post-mortem found the cause of her death was multiple stab wounds. Police have not commented on whether a murder weapon has been found.

Detective superintendent Paul Barton, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are treating the discovery of a woman's body in Beaulieu as murder."

He appealed for anyone who was in the Lyndhurst Road area of Beaulieu between 2pm and 5pm on Tuesday to contact police.

He added: "We will be increasing our patrols in the area but I want to remind the community that crimes of this nature are extremely rare."

Anyone with information can contact the Hampshire major investigation team on 101 or via the website quoting Operation Biscotti, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111