A Ghanaian consultant paediatrician, Dr Victoria Anyetei, described as a devout Christian who worked at St. Thomas' Hospital, London, has been reported murdered.
London Police suspect she may have been stabbed to death in her car by an angry parent or a disgruntled patient.
Her body was discovered by her 19-year-old son, Andrew Thompson in her silver Toyota Avensis in a cul-de-sac in Teynham Road, Dartford, Kent, at 10.20am on Tuesday.
The 53-year-old Ghanaian's killer, who stabbed her all over her body in a "frenzied" attack, may have been laying in wait for her inside the vehicle when she left for work at 8am, police said.
She may have lain undiscovered for more than two hours after the "horrific" murder, with her son just yards away, inside the house, officers added.
Chief Superintendent Gary Beautridge, Kent Police Area Commander for Dartford and Gravesham, said: "It's a truly extra-ordinary crime as these things hardly ever happen: a middle-aged, professional, well respected, upstanding, devout Christian member of the community attacked in a frenzied way and struck down in broad daylight.
"That is the almost unique challenge facing the murder inquiry [team] at this stage."
When asked whether officers were looking at the possibility that Dr Anyetei may have been killed by a disgruntled former patient or their parents, Mr Beautridge said: "That particular aspect will be looked at and it will be looked at in some detail."
However, he said officers were keeping an open mind as to the motive. No weapon had been found and police were conducting house-to-house inquiries.
Divorced Dr Anyetei, who was previously a senior registrar at St Thomas' Hospital during her paediatric training, lived with her teenage son and a younger relative who were on Wednesday with relatives in Essex. Her former husband lives in Ghana.
Mr Beautridge said it was "probable" that she was attacked in her car and that she was specifically targeted. He added: "Dr Anyetei died from multiple stab wounds. It is possible that the killer discarded a weapon nearby and we are appealing for people in the area around Teynham Road to check their gardens.
"Someone may know who killed Dr Anyetei - that person may have returned home in an agitated state - they may have had blood on their clothing.
"We're following a number of lines of enquiry at this time. The motive for the doctor's murder remains unclear and the inquiry team is keeping an open mind as to why someone would attack and kill her.
"Someone out there may be able to help us throw some light on what the motive was for the murder.
"This is an horrific and tragic crime."
He said police were doing everything possible to catch the person or people responsible for the doctor's murder.
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