A HOMELESS woman whose body was found near a footpath had been kicked and punched to death in a “brutal” attack, detectives revealed today.

A HOMELESS woman whose body was found near a footpath had been kicked and punched to death in a “brutal” attack, detectives revealed today.

Marzewa Karbowniak, 42, moved to Thetford from her native Poland two years ago and had been living in a make-shift tent with a man just off the Norwich Road close to the BP garage.

Her body was found just before 7am on Monday about a mile away just off a footpath at the Water Meadows between the Abbey Estate and Thetford town centre.

Home Office pathologist Dr Nat Carey carried out a post mortem examination on her body on Monday night and it revealed she had been “severely” beaten to death and suffered multiple injuries to her chest and stomach and head caused by kicking, punching and stamping.

It is thought she was killed during the hours of darkness between Sunday night and Monday morning. Her body was covered in mud, particularly on the arms and hands.

Detectives said that the victim was last seen at 5.20pm on Sunday in the company of three males. A man in his 40s - thought to be a Polish national - is being questioned on suspicion of murder.

Det Chief Insp Steve Strong, who is leading a 20-strong team of detectives and uniformed officers investigating the murder, said: “It was a brutal attack she was subjected to with lots of force used. It was a very nasty way to take a life.”

Ms Karbowniak has a daughter and other family in Poland and detectives are trying to find out more about what she had done since moving to Thetford.

Ms Karbowniak is believed to have been living in the tent for about a month and is described as slim, 5ft 4inches, with brown shoulder length hair which has been bleached blonde in the lower part. Ms Karbowniak was wearing a black long-sleeved top, dark grey jeans and white trainers.

The location of the victim's temporary residence and the area of the Water Meadows, near the Thetford Priory ruins, remain cordoned off and are being examined by scenes of crime officers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Norfolk Police major investigation team on 0845 456 4567 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.