Woman arrested in connection with Brit mother, 65, who was knifed to death in ‘frenzied’ attack is released without charge

A woman arrested in connection with the ‘frenzied stabbing to death’ of a British woman in France was tonight released without charge.

The 69-year-old woman was originally held following the suspected murder of Karen Carter, 65, in the south western village of Trémolat, in the Dordogne region, east of Bordeaux.

Ms Carter’s body was found outside her home on Tuesday evening, with eight deep wounds around her body, following a night out with friends.

The woman arrested and then released without charge was a neighbour of Ms Carter, a mother of four, and was originally suspected of having some kind of ‘grudge’ against the victim.

But on Friday, investigators released a statement saying she had provided a comprehensive alibi, based on her work schedule.

Sylvie Martins-Guedes, the Bergerac prosecutor who is leading the murder enquiry, said: ‘As part of the ongoing investigation into the crime, the police custody of the woman from Trémolac has been lifted following checks on her schedule.’

Ms Carter had been out at a wine tasting evening at a community café-bar near her home, along with a rumoured new boyfriend before her death.

The man – who had not been named – claimed he was worried when she did not let him know she had safely got home, so went to her homer, where he found her, dying.

Mr and Ms Carter spent their time between their homes in France and South Africa

Karen Carter, a 65-year-old married mother of four, was found outside her property in Trémolat

Ms Martins-Guedes said: ‘The investigation focuses on people who were likely have a grudge against the victim, or the couple she formed with her friend, both of whom were very active in the local community and social scene.’

She added: ‘The investigation is continuing to gather any new information that could guide the investigators, who are heavily involved in this process, and to identify the perpetrator. At this stage, no hypothesis has been ruled out.’

An autopsy carried out in Bordeaux within 24 hours of the stabbing showed that Ms Carter’s death was caused ‘by haemorrage following a wound to the aorta.’

Eight serious wounds were noted in total, including to the ‘chest, abdomen and forearm’ as well as ‘superficial ones on the thigh, shoulder and thumbs,’ said an investigating source.

The source added: ‘All the wounds suggest the victim was attempting to defend herself from a frenzied attack.’

Ms Carter was married to Alan Carter, also 65, but the couple were said to be estranged and he was away in South Africa at the time of the killing, according to investigators.

She had started a relationship with the unidentified man who lived in the Trémolat area and who found her dying on Tuesday, before calling the police.

He was briefly detained by detectives for questioning, but was released within a few hours.

A friend found the 65-year-old woman lying near her vehicle with five deep wounds caused by a blunt object at her home in the village of Tremolat in the Dordogne on Tuesday evening

The new suspect was arrested on Thursday, before being released on Friday evening, after 24-hours.

Alan Carter, who remains at the couple’s home in East London, South Africa, has expressed shock and surprise at revelations that his wife had ‘started a relationship’ with another man.

‘I don’t know the details, but I understand the attack was vicious and deliberate, and not like it was by an interrupted intruder,’ he said in a phone call to The Times.

‘It is likely to have been someone Karen knew and had an issue with her. But she was a kind and friendly person and got on with people.’

Mr Carter was expected to travel to France within the next few days with his four adult children.

The eldest, Nicolas Carter, is a chartered accountant based in London.

Ms Carter was the owner and manager of two guest houses in Trémolat, and both were frequently used by guests from the UK.

The properties were collectively called Les Chouettes [The Owls] and were described as ‘a lovely old renovated farmhouse and barn’, sleeping 14 in total.

Ms Carter is believed to have arrived at her home 10 minutes before a friend found her

Ms Carter at one stage ran a lifestyle blog for women over 50 called La Vie est Belle (Life is Beautiful)

She was also a leading player in the Queens of Football (Reines du Foot) team, which in early April completed a tour of South Africa.

Ms Carter was a midfielder in the Over-50s side, which took part in the Mama Beka tournament.

A team member said: ‘Everyone is in shock. Karen was super helpful, she was kindness personified.’

Ms Carter was also involved in the running of a community café in Tremolet.

It cancelled a party scheduled for Wednesday, April 30th, following Ms Carter’s death.

A Trémolat resident said: ‘Everyone is in total shock – Ms Carter was a delightful, energetic person who got on with everybody.’

She added: ‘Nobody can understand how this could have happened in a peaceful place like this. We are all keeping our doors locked – it is deeply worrying.’

The Dordogne is an area of France that is hugely popular with British tourists, second home owners and expat pensioners.

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