THIS is the first picture of the murdered widow, 81, who was dragged out of her home and set on fire by a drifter who then attacked cops.

Albertina Choules, known as Tina, died in the fireball started by an intruder, who then attacked a police officer with a machete.

11 Albertina Choules, known as Tina, was named as the victim today

11 Cops were called to a burglary but found the body of Albertina Choules Credit: INS News Agency Ltd

11 The £2m home where Albertina Choules died on the lawn Credit: INS News Agency Ltd

11 Forensic experts tent off an area as they search for evidence Credit: INS News Agency Ltd

11 Neighbouring homes in leafy Marlow Bottom, Bucks, were searched by forensic police Credit: INS News Agency Ltd

Police have arrested a 23-year-old suspect after surrounding them in a makeshift woods in surrounding woods.

Friends have paid tribute the pensioner, saying she was "a perfectionist who did everything with love".

They said Mrs Choules loved the country life, lived with no electricity and grew her own food.

It is thought her suspected killer was camping out in the woodland near the plush country home before launching a raid on her house.

Tina made a desperate call to cops to report a burglary at her £2 million ­cottage.

Her burnt body was found slumped on the sprawling front lawn when police arrived.

Armed cops rushed to the scene after the suspect fled at around 6.30am yesterday.

A police helicopter joined in the hunt.

Families in nearby homes were warned to stay indoors as woods close to the house in Marlow Bottom, Bucks, were searched.

11 Victim Albertina had previously complained about people camping in the woods near her house Credit: INS News Agency Ltd

11 Mrs Choules' burnt body was found on the sprawling lawn when cops arrived Credit: INS News Agency Ltd

11 Thames Valley Police blocked off the rural streets around the house Credit: INS News Agency Ltd

11 A 23-year-old drifter has been arrested. It is believed he was living in a make shift tent in nearby woods Credit: INS News Agency Ltd

A friend of Tina said she had complained campers had been cutting wood without permission.

The pal said: "Tina had been having trouble with people camping in the woods around her home.

"She didn't mind the fact they were camping but she was upset that some people had been cutting wood there."

Another friend said: "She was a lovely lady of the village who was liked by everyone."

Tina had lived alone in the country manor since 2004 when her husband Michael - a a costume jewellery company director - died.

The couple had been at the estate for 20 years.

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She had no children but officers are trying to trace family in Italy where she was originally from.

Thames Valley Police last night described the investigation as still in its early stages.

A police spokesman said last night: “We launched a murder investigation after a woman’s body was found.

"Officers were confronted by a man.

"He assaulted an officer, who went to hospital and has been discharged.

"A woman was found at the scene and she was sadly pronounced dead.

"Officers have put in place a scene watch at the property as well as at nearby woods.

"A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He is currently in police custody."

11 Mrs Choules lived alone at the mansion since her businessman husband died of cancer 12 years ago Credit: INS News Agency Ltd

11 She rented the home from the Hon Rupert Carington, 68, the son of Margaret Thatcher’s Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington Credit: INS News Agency Ltd

A murder inquiry, led by Detective Chief Inspector Mike Lynch from the Major Crime Team, has now been launched and a cordon thrown around the houses nearby in Ragmans Lane.

Tina rented the home from the Hon Rupert Carington, 68, the son of Margaret Thatcher’s Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington, 97.

A Home Office pathologist was called to Mrs Choules' home and carried out an initial post mortem examination on her body.

Local police have promised an increased presence in the secluded area.

She was a lovely lady of the village who was liked by everyone

A track which leads to a cluster of four large country mansions was cordoned off this morning.

The murder happened just nine miles from the scene of the unsolved murder 21 years ago of nurse Janet Brown, who was killed in her home by intruders and found the next day by builders who arrived to carry out work.

Despite a fresh appeal to try to trace the killer of Mrs Brown in Radnage, Buckinghamshire, last year, the case remains unsolved.

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