Grief of masseuse's family

Ms Chiu spoke five languages and had studied alternative therapy

The family of a masseuse found stabbed to death in her luxury home have spoken of their grief.

The body of Angela Chiu, 48, was discovered in the bathroom of the house in Poole, Dorset, by her 18-year-old daughter on Friday evening.

Mother and daughter had been looking forward to going to a Robbie Williams concert together the next day and were soon to go on a family holiday to the Scilly Isles.

In a statement on Monday, Ms Chiu's family paid tribute to "a loving and caring mother" and a "wonderful daughter".

Angela took a strong interest in many aspects of alternative health Chiu family statement

Ms Chiu, a law graduate, worked as a massage therapist from her home in Haven Road, Canford Cliffs, in an exclusive area of Poole.

An ad placed by Ms Chiu in the Bournemouth Daily Echo newspaper reads: "Luxury massage. Sauna and steam, private practice at Sandbanks".

A telephone answer phone message offers full body massage at £100 an hour, or a longer massage in the sauna or jacuzzi.

However, Dorset police say they do not believe the killing was linked to Ms Chiu's job.

'Fun-loving sister'

The statement said: "Angela's family and friends are battling to come to terms with her unnecessary and violent death.

"Angela was a loving and caring mother as well as a wonderful daughter, thoughtful and fun-loving sister and an admired aunt.

"Over the years, Angela took a strong interest in many aspects of alternative health and attended many courses and seminars around the country and abroad to attain and extend her counselling skills."

"Angela could speak five languages - Spanish, Italian, German, French and Japanese - and studied language at a Spanish university for a time.

"Angela also studied nutritional medicine, general counselling as well as remedial and therapeutic massage.

"We would like to stress the need for total privacy at this incredibly difficult time and ask that the press and media be sympathetic to our feelings."

The family are urging anyone with any information to contact police.