A serving police community support officer found dead in woodland was last seen taking her dog for a walk, the BBC has been told.
A murder investigation was launched after the body of Julia James, 53, was found in Akholt Wood, Snowdown, near Dover, just after 16:00 BST on Tuesday.
Ms James had been off duty at the time, Kent Police said.
Police have been carrying out searches of woodland and nearby fields and Ms James's home has been cordoned off.
A white police tent is still in place in the woods, which is popular with dog walkers, after Ms James' body was discovered, and there is a heavy police presence in the area.
A few hundred metres away a house with a car and a van parked on the driveway was under police guard.
Officers in vans have also been posted at the start of footpaths leading off Holt Street where portable facilities have been erected.
The main road between Aylesham and Snowdown remains closed off.
Kent Police colleagues confirmed Ms James had served on the force as a PCSO and said they were pursuing "a number of lines of inquiry" into her death.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said she had been "so saddened" to learn of the death.
So saddened to hear of the death of @kent_police PCSO Julia James.
I offer my sincere condolences to Julia’s friends, family and colleagues at this awful time. https://t.co/8gfqmA14yV
— Priti Patel (@pritipatel) April 28, 2021
Detectives have appealed for anybody who was in the area on Monday or Tuesday to come forward.
At the scene: BBC reporter Simon Jones
The hunt for Julia James' killer is continuing this morning.
It's a fast-moving investigation but also a difficult investigation for Kent Police officers because of course they are looking into the murder of one of their own officers.
She was last seen by a neighbour leaving her home on Tuesday afternoon as she went to walk her dog.
We've seen a lot of searches of fields - this is a very rural area and a lot of places are cordoned off as officers carried out fingertip searches.
Assistant Chief Constable Peter Ayling said it had been "a tough day for many" on the force.
There were "some shattered people today following the loss of one of our own," he said.
Matthew Scott, the Kent police and crime commissioner, said his thoughts were with Ms James's family and friends.
My thoughts are with Julia’s family, friends and colleagues at this sad and difficult time.
If you can help Kent Police with their enquiries, please see the information in the post below. https://t.co/LO9Y4mt4aA
— Matthew Scott (@matthewinkent) April 28, 2021
St Peter's Church in Aylesham opened for prayers on Thursday morning.
Egerton Farmers' Market said Ms James was among a group of PCSOs who held "pop-up" stations at the market where residents could raise their concerns and ask questions.
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2021-04-29 08:08:09Z
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