Murder investigation launched after the wife of a former international hockey player was found dead at her £250,000 home as police quiz man

Police have launched a murder investigation after the wife of a former international hockey player was found dead at home.

A man has been arrested after the woman - named locally as interior designer Joanne Samak, 42, - was discovered with injuries that 'were not survivable' at the £250,000 property in a picturesque spa town.

Emergency services were called to the address on Chestnut Spinney, in Droitwich Spa, Worcestshire, and found the victim seriously injured at 4.10am yesterday. 

Despite the efforts of paramedics, Mrs Samak was pronounced dead at the scene. Her death is currently being treated as 'unexplained', West Mercia Police said.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remained in police custody last night.

Neighbours said they saw police cars coming down the quiet cul de sac in the early hours and throughout yesterday.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'Nothing ever happens in this little close, so it has got to be serious. I don't know how I feel, in all honesty. We have been told it is serious.'

West Midlands Ambulance Service said medics found the woman in a critical condition and attempted to administer advanced life support.

A service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 4.12am on Monday to an incident at a private address on Chestnut Spinney in Droitwich Spa.

'Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and a Critical Care Car from Midlands Air Ambulance attended the scene. Upon arrival, we found a woman in a critical condition.

'Ambulance staff administered advanced life support to her, but unfortunately, it became clear that nothing more could be done to save her, and she was confirmed deceased.'

Mrs Samak is understood to have been a mother of one who lived with her hockey player husband, Mohammed Samak a former Egyptian international hockey player.

Their son is thought to be aged around seven.

Detective Chief Inspector Leighton Harding, senior investigating officer, said: 'When officers arrived it became clear that the woman's injuries were not survivable, and she sadly died at the scene.

'Her death is currently being treated as unexplained. An investigation has been launched to establish the circumstances around her death. 

'At this stage we're keeping an open mind and are exploring all lines of enquiry. Our thoughts are with the woman's family at this difficult time.'

Residents living on the quiet residential street reacted with shock today to the woman's death.

One neighbour said: 'Nothing ever happens on this street, it was all very unexpected. We woke up on Monday morning to a bunch of police vans and crime scene forensics and that sort of stuff.

'We didn't really know the couple, we just know they had a little four or five-year-old child. I believe they are married.'

Another resident added: 'We don't know if it was wife and husband or somebody from outside, but this has been going on from 3am yesterday.

'There has been police just constantly coming and going. We don't really know the people who live there, I think they were a fairly young couple. I don't know what's gone on. It makes you realise, you just don't know these days. It makes you feel a bit wary, it's only natural.

'Nothing like this has happened here before to my knowledge but you don't know what goes on behind closed doors.

'Somebody there has got kids. I've seen a kid around there but I'm not sure if they are connected to that couple or not.'