A murder probe has been opened following the death of PCSO Julia James, police have confirmed.
The 53-year-old's body was discovered yesterday in woodland in Aylesham, Kent, sparking an investigation - with police urging people in the area to "remain vigilant".
The mother-of-two, who lived in a tiny hamlet close to the village, regularly walked her dog in the area.
Kent Police told The Mirror that her death is now being treated as murder.
Tributes have been paid to the popular police worker, described as "friendly" by neighbours.
There was a heavy police presence at the scene this afternoon, as forensics teams were photographed close to the path on which Mrs James' body was found.
Mrs James' body was discovered shortly after 4pm yesterday in Akholt Wood, in the Aylesham Road area, police said in a statement.
Earlier today Assistant Chief Constable of Kent Police Tom Richards said: "Officers are carrying out a number of lines of inquiry to establish the circumstances and people in the Snowdown area will see an increased police presence as a result.
"It saddens me to confirm that the victim was a serving PCSO for Kent Police and whilst there is a full and thorough investigation under way our thoughts also remain with her family, friends and colleagues.
"It is vitally important that anyone who was in the area on Monday and Tuesday who may have seen something suspicious gets in touch with us.
"We're particularly keen to speak to those who regularly visit the area who may have seen something out of place and those who drove by who have dashcam footage.
"We would advise people in the area to remain vigilant until the full circumstances of the death are established."
Neighbour Sean Simmonds, 57, a paramedic, said that officers told him Mrs James's white Jack Russell mongrel had stayed with her body.
He said: "The police have been doing door to door knocks. They told us the dog stayed with her. They found the dog with her. That's what the police said."
Leah Southwell, 18, a beauty student at Canterbury College who lives a few doors down from the PCSO, said the street was a close knit community.
She said: “It’s such a shock. I only spoke to her this week.
“Everyone looks out for everyone around here."
An Aylesham resident describes the neighboured, where Ms James was found dead, as "family friendly", and said she was "always friendly".
Michael Bates said: "It's a very family friendly close-knit community, everybody tends to look out for everybody else, having children neighbours will be keep a close eye on them.
"To be honest with you I haven't really processed it, obviously we've just found out today. It's a shock.
"She was always friendly, because it is so small everybody is like that."
A neighbour told Kent Online: "It's quite unnerving to know that's happened in a sleepy hamlet. It makes your blood run cold."
Officers are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area on Monday and Tuesday April 26-27 who may have seen something unusual or suspicious.
