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.
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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.
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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
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
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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Janey Godley has been keeping Scots entertained through the pandemic with her hilarious Nicola Sturgeon voiceovers.
But today the comedian turned her hand to a new politician - Arlene Foster, who resigned as DUP leader and Northern Ireland's First Minister this afternoon.
Foster is to step down as DUP leader and the country's leader having faced criticism over her handling of Brexit, which sparked calls within the party for a leadership contest.
In a statement, Foster said: "It is important to give space over the next few weeks for the Party Officers to make arrangements for the election of a new leader."
She delivered the statement on Sky News, and Janey Godley wasted little time getting to work.
Opening the video she said: "Hi there, Arlene here, just to let you know that I am resigning, but the good news is I can finally, finally explore my passion as a wedding singer.
"Me and big Theresa May, we've started our own wedding band singers. We're going to be doing the hits of Gaga, Madonna, Steps, Kylie, Abba... aw the big songs like....mamamamammaa Poker Face!
Janey Godley (Image: DAILY RECORD)
She added: "And I've got the 'the winner takes it all... you can make me wholeeeee..... whole again, yeah that's the words.
"Yeah, so we're looking forward to that, watch out for a caravan site, we'll be coming near you! Thank you!"
And many loved Janey's latest voice over.
One wrote: "Fantastic thank you for the laugh."
Another added: "I can actually see this happening, and what's more, I would pay to see it!"
While one penned: "Belter, Cheers Janey."
And one wrote: "This is just SO funny!"
Arlene Foster will stand down as DUP leader at the end of May and as First Minister at the end of June after a five year term that saw Brexit and the controversial Northern Ireland protocol enacted.
Foster was under fire from her party colleagues over the political storm caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol which has imposed a customs border down the Irish Sea.
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Recent changes to Northern Ireland's abortion laws and the commitment to implement an Irish language act were unpopular with conservative elements of the DUP ahead of next year's assembly election.
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released two new portraits ahead of their 10th wedding anniversary on Thursday.
The photographs were taken at Kensington Palace this week by Chris Floyd.
Second-in-line to the throne William married his former university flatmate Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in London on 29 April, 2011.
Image:The couple posed at Kensington Palace. Pic: Chris Floyd/Camera Press
Their wedding came after an eight-year relationship.
They now have three children: seven-year-old Prince George, Princess Charlotte, five, and three-year-old Prince Louis.
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Royal writer Penny Junor said Kate - the Duchess of Cambridge - has supported William over the past 10 years.
She told the PA news agency: "I think she has been absolutely extraordinary and a model of what a future queen should be.
"She has got such poise and elegance and she's not in competition with William. She doesn't seem to be seeking fame.
"Everything about her is measured. She's a grown-up. She seems to care a lot about everything she's put her name to.
"And she's very good with people but she's not on an ego trip and I think that is absolutely crucial in that role."
During the coronavirus lockdowns, William and Kate have baked goods for local vulnerable people, carried out video calls, supported key workers and home-schooled their children.
Kate has also focused on charity work in the areas of mental health, the visual arts and the benefits of outdoor life.
The couple also became joint patrons of NHS Charities Together.
The 240 NHS charities in the UK provide extra funding for hospitals, community and mental health services, and ambulance services.
Two police officers have been charged with misconduct in public office after allegedly taking selfies next to the bodies of two murdered sisters.
PCs Deniz Jaffer, 47, and Jamie Lewis, 32, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 27 May 2021 for their first hearing.
It comes after they were investigated over inappropriate pictures of Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, who were stabbed to death in Wembley, north-west London, in the early hours of June 6 last year.
The images were then allegedly shared on WhatsApp before ending up in the public domain.
Experts from the Independent Office for Police Conduct had investigated the claims then passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service.
The CPS London Complex Casework unit authorised the charges following a review of their findings.
PC Deniz Jaffer, 47, has been charged with misconduct in a public office over the pictures
Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, who were stabbed to death in Wembley last year
Reports of the pictures had devastated the mother of Ms Smallman and Henry.
Mina Smallman told the BBC at the time that the pictures 'dehumanised' her children.
'This has taken our grief to another place,' she said.
Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said she was stunned at news of the allegations last yeear.
The sisters' mother Mina Smallman (pictured) told the BBC that the pictures 'dehumanised' her children
She said: 'My heart goes out to the family.
'In relation to the allegations about a photograph, I am dumbfounded. I am appalled.'
Police previously released pictures of senior social worker Ms Henry, from Brent in north-west London, and photographer Ms Smallman dancing with fairy lights before they were murdered.
The pair had met with friends during the evening to celebrate Ms Henry's birthday.
Danyal Hussein, 18, from Blackheath, has been charged with two counts of murder and possession of an offensive weapon, and faces trial later this year.
Boris Johnson has hailed the "final step in a long journey" after the European Parliament gave its approval to the post-Brexit trade deal.
With MEPs having overwhelmingly supported the Trade and Cooperation Agreement - which was struck on Christmas Eve - the prime minister said now "is the time to look forward to the future".
The European Parliament consented to the deal by 660 votes to five, with 32 abstentions.
The result was announced on Wednesday morning after MEPs cast their votes on Tuesday night.
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A new beginning' as PM signs EU trade deal
The deal had provisionally been in force since the end of the transition period on 1 January.
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Earlier this year, MEPs declined to set a date for a vote following a row over the UK's action in relation to post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland.
But with an end of April deadline looming by which to ratify the agreement, MEPs have now made their decision.
More from Boris Johnson
There remain a few formalities to be completed over the next few days to complete the EU's ratification process.
Responding to the European Parliament vote, Mr Johnson tweeted: "This week is the final step in a long journey, providing stability to our new relationship with the EU as vital trading partners, close allies and sovereign equals.
"Now is the time to look forward to the future and to building a more Global Britain."
Great news that the European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favour of our zero tariffs, zero quotas Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Now is the time to look forward to a new relationship with the EU and a more Global Britain.
Cabinet minister Lord Frost, who oversees the EU-UK relationship, said the vote brought "certainty" and would allow the UK and EU to "focus on the future".
"We will always aim to act in that positive spirit but we will also always stand up for our interests when we must - as a sovereign country in full control of our own destiny," he added.
European Parliament President David Sassoli said MEPs would "monitor closely" to ensure commitments made within the agreement "are kept".
"The agreement voted today lays the foundation for a new EU-UK relationship," he posted on Twitter.
"It will not be as frictionless as what came before, but it is in all our interests to make it work."
On Tuesday, speaking as MEPs began their final debate on the post-Brexit trade deal, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen vowed the EU "will not hesitate" to take action against the UK under the terms of the agreement, if there is a dispute.
