Murder victim's 'legal' business

Ms Chiu ran a legitimate business from her Poole home

A masseuse found stabbed to death in her luxury home ran a legitimate business from her home, police said.

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.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Redstone, leading the hunt for her killer, said: "It's important that the inquiry team deals in facts.

"Angela was a qualified health therapist and, despite widespread speculation to the contrary, our inquiries have established that she ran a legitimate business from home."

Newspaper advert

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 a local 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.

Dorset Police say they do not believe the killing was linked to Ms Chiu's job but are keeping an "open mind."

Mr Redstone, head of Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team in Bournemouth, added: "Detectives are trying to piece together the last movements of Angela's life and build up a picture of her professional, social and personal life.

"Officers are speaking to members of Angela's family, her friends and people that she came into contact with."

House-to-house inquiries are continuing in the vicinity of Haven Road and Chaddesley Glen.

There were no signs of a forced entry having been made into Angela's house and nothing to suggest that she was the victim of a sexual assault Det Chief Insp Neil Redstone

A search of her garden has been completed but scenes-of-crime officers are still carrying out forensic work in her detached house set to continue for the next couple of days.

Mr Redstone said: "There were no signs of a forced entry having been made into Angela's house and nothing to suggest that she was the victim of a sexual assault."

Murder squad detectives are still appealing for anyone who saw or had contact with Angela between Wednesday and Friday teatime of last week to them as soon as possible.