A MOTHER found dead in her home had been stabbed with a penknife, police have revealed.

Sanambir Punni was discovered at the bottom of the stairs at her home in Beaumont Drive, Northfleet.

It followed the discovery of a man's body, believed to be her husband, in a burning R-reg Ford Mondeo car on a path by the back garden.

North Kent police deputy area commander, Superintendent Chris Hogben, the senior investigating officer, said: "Officers attending to the fire looked through the window and saw a body lying in the hallway by the foot of the stairs.

"A post mortem revealed the lady died of multiple stab wounds.

"The weapon was a large penknife with a locking blade. It was found in a room upstairs.

"Most of her wounds were inflicted where she lay."

He denied reports in national newspapers she was stabbed 55 times and she had been having an affair.

He said: "This does not help with the family who are very upset.

"At the present time there is no evidence in the investigation the lady was having an affair with anyone else.

"We have interviewed a lot of people in connection with this and not one person has given any evidence of an affair."

Police have not formally identified the man, aged 46, due to the severity of his injuries.

A spokesman said it was a tragic domestic incident and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with it.

Her family released a statement where they paid tribute to "an angel."

Mrs Punni's family - Sharonee, Baljinder, Sujinder, Kam and her children Sunny and Sharon - described her as a happy, bubbly person, a good mother who loved her children, a loving sister and a loving daughter.

The 38-year-old, known as Sam, had just finished a beauty therapist course at North West Kent College.

In a statement they said: "Her life was her family, she loved her family and was totally devoted and loyal to them.

"Sam was such a caring person, she had a big heart.

"Sam loved life. She had lots of ideas and such a passion for everything. Everyone who knew her will miss her optimism and her love.

"She was an angel."

The bodies were found on August 13.