British woman found stabbed to death in Italian home

A manhunt has been launched after a British expat was found murdered in her home in Italy.

The 66-year-old woman, who has not been identified, was found with stab wounds to her stomach at her home near Casoli, in the east of the country.

The area is popular with British ex-pats and Italian police are said to be searching for her 74-year-old husband, who is also British, who reportedly left the family home before he could be questioned.

It comes after the woman's body was found by a friend who visited after calling her but getting no response.

Police said the friend became concerned after not hearing from the woman for three days and decided to check up on her.

Neighbours told journalists they called the police after hearing the victim's friend screaming.

The house, which is in an isolated part of the countryside, has been sealed off to allow forensics teams to work at the scene.

The couple are believed to have been living in the rural area for around three years.

They were described as "private" by neighbours but often seen walking their three dogs in the local area.

The Standard has contacted the Foreign Office for comment.