Two sons of a wealthy businesswoman were being questioned on Sunday night on suspicion of stabbing their mother to death after her marriage broke down and she began seeing other men.
Assia Shahzad, 40, suffered multiple wounds during the bloodbath at the £600 000, six-bedroom family home.
Neighbours and family friends said that she was estranged from her husband and her relationships with other men angered close relatives.
Police were holding her sons Usman, 21, and 16-year-old Suleiman.
The mother of three, who lived with her sons in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, had been separated from her husband, Rashad, 45, for several years.
She was taken to Stoke Mandeville hospital on Saturday night after a relative raised the alarm and died shortly afterwards, at about 8pm.
Suleiman was also hurt during the incident and was treated for minor injuries at the same hospital.
Shahzad’s other son, Lookmarn, 18, who has severe learning difficulties, was being looked after by relatives.
A friend said: “Her husband does not live at the house.
“We have been told that Mrs Shahzad had been seeing other men and I suppose it is likely that her sons may not have approved of this. It might explain the motive, although we do not know.”
Another added: “Assia was a strong-minded, independent, modern woman. This did not always sit well with some parts of the family.”
Police said they were treating the horrific incident as “domestic-related” rather than an honour killing.
A Mitsubishi Land Cruiser remained on the driveway of the house behind wrought-iron gates on Sunday.
Shahzad ran a taxi company with her estranged husband, Lookie Travel, named after their handicapped son.
A family member said her father, Mohammed Nawaz, was inconsolable over the loss of his daughter.
“He is screaming and crying. He is absolutely distraught.”
Muslims arriving at the mosque at the end of Shahzad’s road for prayers spoke of their shock on Sunday.
Raj Khan, a Buckinghamshire county councillor who grew up with her, said: “We lived on the same street, went to school together and we were in the same business together.
“We have a good friendship through our fathers, so there’s a long history between us.
“I am devastated. I only saw her yesterday.
“It seems like a total nightmare. She seemed okay - she was her normal self and was talking about going for some food.
“It’s a devastating time, not only for her family but for the community. She was a very community-spirited lady.
“She helped where she could, particularly with Asian women’s issues by filling in their forms and advising them.
“Lookie, her son, is disabled. It’s been difficult looking him in the eyes because he does not understand what has happened.”
He said that the dead woman’s parents were “absolutely devastated”.
Khan added: “Her father is not well at all. It’s a really bad situation.”
A man who claimed to be Shahzad’s uncle said: “She was a good lady, well known in Aylesbury. She loved her three children - she lived for her kids.
“I saw her a couple of days ago. She was quite happy. She didn’t have any enemies. We can’t understand it.”
Forensic officers remained at the house on Sunday night and appeared to be focusing on the upper floor of the property.
A second post mortem examination was being carried out on Shahzad’s body on Sunday but police said her injuries were “consistent with a bladed instrument being used in the attack”.
A spokesman added: “We have seized a number of items as part of our forensic investigation and can confirm that the suspects in custody are family members of the victim.”
On his Facebook page, rap music fan Usman Shahzad lists a string of violent films as his favourites, including The Football Factory, Scarface, The Godfather and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. - Daily Mail