A pensioner found murdered in her car in a pretty Northamptonshire village had recently moved into a flat to escape a violent ex-partner, neighbours have claimed.

Retired county council manager Marion Price, 63, was found dead in her car with the front window smashed, in Earls Barton, at around 8pm on Sunday.

Her devastated family said in a statement she was a 'much-loved mum' to her two grown-up children.

A 69-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 63-year-old woman who died from serious head injuries.

Marion Price, 63, pictured centre, with her children Gary Price, left, and Toni Brown, right

A man, who lives in the same apartment block as Mrs Price, said: 'Marion has only lived in the flat since April and I understand she was put there for her own protection.

'She kept herself to herself but we understand she had been in an abusive relationship and her ex may have found out where she lived.

'I first realised something was wrong when I saw her silver Corsa parked outside her flat last night and both the passenger and driver's side windows were smashed.

'I walked past the car to her flat and tried the doorbell because I wanted to tell her someone had vandalised her car.

'Another of my neighbours went to the car and found her body. She was lying slumped across the passenger seat.

Police cordon off Elderton Way, in Earls Barton, Northamptonshire and launch a murder investigation

'She rang an ambulance and they told her to try and get her out of the car and start CPR but half of her face was just blood. It was clear she was dead.

'It's awful what's happened. She was a lovely lady and would always say hello.

'I only spoke to her a few days ago and she said how much she was looking forward to seeing her family for Christmas. It's just so sad.'

People living on the upmarket new-build housing estate expressed their shock at the murder.

One resident said: 'My girlfriend called me to say loads of police were around the estate.

'When I got home I walked past a car with a smashed window with police all over it.

'I understood the woman was killed while she sat in the car outside some flats on the estate.

Today the road on the estate remained cordoned off as police stood guard

'It's shocking because this is such a lovely area.

'Obviously you have problems everywhere but this is a nice development where lots of families and retired people live.'

Another resident said: 'I was watching TV when there were lots of flashing blue lights and the street was crawling with cops.

'You never see any police up here so I went outside to see what the fuss was about.

'When I found out a woman had been murdered I was really shocked. The police haven't said much else.'

Today (Mon) the road on the estate remained cordoned off as police stood guard.

A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Police said: 'Officers were called to a private residential car park shortly after 8pm last night after a woman was found dead in her car with serious head injuries.

'A post-mortem is due to take place later today (Monday, December 16).

'A 69-year-old man from Northampton has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.'