Neighbours spoke of their shock at the woman’s death.

One woman said: “The couple moved in December or January but kept themselves to themselves and I didn’t know them by name.

“I used to see them go out, walking their big Alsatian dog.

“He went out each morning wearing a hat and carrying a rucksack, so I assume he works locally.

“It’s quite shocking, especially in a quiet town like New Milton. This is a tiny close and you don’t anything like this to happen here.”

Neighbour, Carly Saunders, said: “It’s really shocking. I saw the ambulance and just thought someone had hurt themselves.

"The police knocked on my door at about midnight and asked me if I had seen anything.”

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “I am absolutely shocked to think there was a murder in the road.”