Murder inquiry after mother found stabbed to death

Ms Davis was found by her husband at a paddock on Leygreen Farm on Tuesday afternoon, police said. Detective Superintendent Paul Barton from Hampshire Constabulary’s Major Investigation Team said that a post mortem examination conducted yesterday revealed the 47-year-old had died from multiple stab wounds.

Speaking at a conference, DSI Barton said that a murder enquiry has been launched as a result: “We urgently need to trace and speak to witnesses. We want to speak to anyone who was in the area of the paddock by Leygreen Farm on Tuesday afternoon between 2pm and 5pm. This is just north of Beaulieu and a popular route used by local commuters from Lymington to Southampton to avoid Lyndhurst.

“We believe there will have been tourists in this area at the time as well as commuters, walkers, and people out fishing in the adjacent river”.

‘Beloved mother’

Ms Davis’ family said they were “devastated” by the death in a statement issued by the police.

It read: “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.

Pennie was the kind of woman who once she became your friend she was a friend for life. Family statement

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