A MURDER inquiry has been launched after the body of a doctor was found in her car parked on her own driveway early yesterday morning.

Police believe 53-year-old Victoria Anyetei was attacked as she left for work at 8.20am from her home in Teynham Road, Dartford.

The Ghanian born consultant paediatrician, who worked at St Thomas' Hospital in London, had suffered multiple stab wounds.

Dr Anyetei's 19-year-old son, Andrew Thompson, found her body.

Relatives alerted police who then set up a cordon around the cul-de-sac.

The body was taken to Darent Valley Hospital by ambulance.

Weapon could have been discarded

Speaking today, north Kent area commander Chief Superintendent Gary Beautridge said police are keeping an open mind about the incident.

He said it is possible the killer discarded a weapon near the house.

Residents are being asked to check their garden for any objects which could have been used as a weapon.

Kent Police has a dedicated team of 20 officers working on the murder inquiry and has set up an incident room at the force's major crime unit in Chatham.

Mr Beautridge said: "We are following a number of lines of inquiry at this time.

"The motive of the doctor's murder remains unclear and the inquiry team is keeping an open mind.

"This is such an extroadinary crime because we don't have middle-aged paediatricians seemingly randomly attacked in broad daylight.

"It is a relatively calm quiet residential area.

"I must stress that this is extremely rare and the people in the community should go about their everyday business."

Dave Cushway, 56, used to live opposite Dr Anyetei and her son when they lived on Cugley Road, which is a few streets over from Teynham Road.

He said: "Obviously it's shocking. The trouble is we don't know if it was random.

"It's terrible. My other half was petrified. She goes out in the mornings between 8am and 8.30am and it does worry her a lot.

"I'm a taxi driver and I used to give the doctor a lift to the train station. When I cabbed the lady, she seemed quite pleasant."

Phil Abraham, 31, who lives on Watling Street, the road which Teynham Road leads off, said: "I could hear fuss and commotion yesterday morning and then police cars and ambulances arrived.

"I went out to the shop soon after and the police had cordoned off the road. In the afternoon they came round questioning people."

Tribute to doctor

Dr Frances Flinter, clinical director of children's services at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We were extremely sad to learn of Victoria's tragic death and our condolences go out to all her family and friends.

"Victoria had a lovely warm manner with the children she cared for and they in turn always responded very well to her.

"They liked having her as their doctor.

"She was also the sort of doctor that parents instinctively have faith in and she will be very sadly missed by her patients, their parents and all her colleagues.

"Victoria has worked as a locum consultant paediatrician at St Thomas' since Christmas and was very well liked and respected by all her colleagues.

"She had also been a senior registrar here in the past during her paediatric training."

Police patrols stepped up

Police have taken the car, a silver Toyota Avensis, to a secure location for forensic tests.

House-to-house inquiries are under way and high visibility patrols have been stepped up in the area.

A post-mortem examination carried out today showed Dr Anyetei died from stab wounds to her upper body.

Detective Chief Inspector Anne Brittain, who is leading the investigation, said: "At this early stage we would appeal to anyone who saw anything untoward or anyone acting suspiciously in the area, particularly before or around 8.20am when the woman left for work, to call us."

Call 01634 884011.