An Irish woman found dead in Goa was hit with a beer bottle, raped and strangled, a post-mortem has found.

The naked body of Danielle McLaughlin, 28, was found on Tuesday morning in Deobagh in south Goa by a farmer who informed the police.

Deputy Superintendent Sammy Tavaras told Sky News: "Forensics have confirmed the victim was raped, strangulated and was hit on the head. The cause of death was compression of her neck and cerebral damage. The victim had a scuffle with the accused.

"She was hit with a beer bottle and a stone. She had deep fractures to her skull. Her face was also battered."

Image: Danielle McLaughlin was a former student at Liverpool John Moores University

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Vikat Bhagat, a 23-year-old known to police in Goa, has been arrested after being seen on CCTV with the backpacker.

Ms McLaughlin, from Buncrana, Co Donegal, arrived in Goa on 23 February with an Australian female friend. They were staying in a beach hut.

She went to Canacona to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colours where she met the accused.

Image: The 28-year-old travelled to Goa on 23 February with an Australian friend

Mr Tavaras told Sky News: "We investigated, interrogated and then arrested Vikat. He even confessed to the killing of Danielle. But we needed forensics to confirm it all."

Police have traced a bag filled with clothes of the deceased, which was dumped in Canacona.

The suspect will face charges of murder, rape, robbery and destruction of evidence.

Mr Tavaras said: "The police have a very strong case but are still collecting evidence to make it airtight.

"We have 90 days to file charges against the accused so we will make sure we have everything."

Image: Danielle McLaughlin's body could take six days to arrive home

Ms McLaughlin's body is expected to begin its journey home on Friday but it could take six days.

The killing comes nine years after the rape and murder of Scarlett Keeling, a British schoolgirl whose semi-naked body was found on a Goa beach.

Last year the two main accused were acquitted for lack of evidence collected by the police.