A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a company director was found dead with multiple stab wounds following a “ferocious” knife attack at her luxury home.

The body of Sadie Hartley, 60, a mother of three and keen horsewoman, was discovered in the hallway of her house in the village of Helmshore in Lancashire late on 15 January. Detectives suspect she died in a “targeted attack” and do not believe the motive was robbery.

A woman, 34, from Chester, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody, detectives from Lancashire Police said.

Ms Hartley was last seen alive on 14 January at a conference in Manchester. Paramedics were called to her home on the evening of 15 January after an employee became concerned she had not been in touch.

Sadie Hartley's body was discovered in the hallway of her house in the village of Helmshore in Lancashire late on 15 January (PA)

Ms Harley’s partner, Ian Johnston, an ex-fireman, was in the Swiss Alps on a skiing holiday when officers contacted him to break the news.

Nothing is believed to have been missing from Ms Harley’s home and there was no sign of forced entry. Ms Hartley suffered injuries as, police believe, she fought back against the attack, which was possibly launched on her doorstep.

Detective Superintendent Paul Withers, from Lancashire Police, said: “I don’t feel this is a random attack, I think Sadie has been targeted by an individual who clearly had some issues with her for whatever reason and it is imperative we find out why this has happened.

Sadie Hartley, 60, a keen horsewoman

“It was quite a ferocious attack on a lady at home alone. We are absolutely determined to identify who has done it so hopefully they will face the courts and a lengthy custodial sentence. We are determined to get justice for Sadie and her extended family and her partner Ian.”

Ms Hartley was a director of a Cheshire-based company, Hartley Taylor, which specialises in medical communications. A post-mortem examination has confirmed the cause of death as multiple stab wounds.

Lancashire Police said CCTV inquiries have identified a vehicle and a number of people that officers would like to trace.

Ms Hartley is last known to have made contact with a work colleague at about 7.30pm on 14 January.

At around 8pm that night an old-style Renault Clio car was seen on CCTV driving into Sunny Bank Road, where she lived, and driving off around a minute later. Officers want to trace this car. They also want to trace a man seen walking out of the cul-de-sac.

Police near the scene after mother-of-three Sadie Hartley, 60, was murdered in a "ferocious" knife attack at her home in Helmshore (PA)

He was seen to pass another person walking in the opposite direction and a few moments later a jogger was seen on the footage.