A PHOTOGRAPH of a woman who was stabbed to death in an Essex house has been released by police as they continue their appeal to the public for information.

The body of Tina Bennett, 47, was discovered by police at a property in Keeble Way, Braintree, on Sunday afternoon.

A post-mortem has been carried out and the preliminary cause of death is stab wounds.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently being questioned by detectives at Braintree police station.

The victim had suffered a serious neck injury and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Neighbours have spoken of their shock that such an incident could take place on their “quiet street” within a “nice community”.

John Whitehouse said: “What’s happened is very disturbing. It hasn’t made for a good Easter.

“I knew something serious had happened because there were at least four police cars and paramedics outside.

“They were searching the whole area until late last night and you could see them going around with their torches.

“It’s been lovely here this last week and it’s usually such a quiet street, so it is very disturbing. Nothing like this has happened before.”

Andrew Davidson said: “I’ve lived here for 11 years and I can’t remember anything like this happening before. It’s a nice community.

“I didn’t know the woman and I’m not sure that many people did. I think she must have kept herself to herself. Some of the houses here are rented so I don’t know if she’d been there a while or just moved in.”

A neighbour who did not wish to be named said: “My boyfriend saw someone outside the house on Thursday and he’s told the police about it. I can’t believe what’s happened.

“I came back from town with my boyfriend at about 2pm on Sunday and we saw all the paramedics and the police. It was a real shock.

“Then the forensic team came in their white suits and they were in the house for about four or five hours.

“I saw them take the body out in a black bag; you don’t think that something like this can happen so close to home.”

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Parkes, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “We believe the incident may have happened in the early hours of Sunday morning but I would like to hear from anyone who may have been in the area from 8.30pm on the evening of Saturday April 23.

“No matter how small or insignificant that information may seem, please get in touch as it could be the vital piece of the jigsaw.”

Witnesses should contact Essex Police 0300 333 4444. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.