Touching tributes have been paid to a caring mum-of-two pregnant with her third child who died in suspicious circumstances in a Burnham flat.

A murder investigation has been launched after officers were called to Booth Place at 3.50pm on Friday following reports that a woman had been found collapsed.

Ambulance crews attended the scene but she had died.

She has been named locally as pregnant 23-year-old Becky Parker, from Burnham.

It is believed that she lived in a flat in Booth Place with her two children.

Former colleague Claire Whyman, a waitress at the Oyster Smack Inn, said Becky, who worked at the restaurant until six months ago, would “brighten up everyone’s day”.

She said: “She was just lovely and bubbly.

“She was always happy and would get on with everyone.

“She would come in and brighten up everyone’s day."

Another friend wrote on Facebook: “RIP my thoughts are with Shane and her kids also all her family. She was such a lovely girl, she didn't deserve this.”

Christine Loveridge said: “A lovely bubbly girl, rest in peace cus.”

DCI Martin Pasmore, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, who is leading the investigation, said: "This is a very sad and distressing incident where a young woman has lost her life in tragic circumstances. This enquiry has now become a murder investigation.

"We have arrested a man on suspicion of her murder and will continue to question him today. If anyone does have any information that they think may help us then I would urge them to get in touch with my team.”

A scene guard remains in place at the property whilst forensic searches are carried out.

Essex Police are not confirming a stabbing.

UPDATE 8.40AM SUNDAY: Factory worker Matthew Smith, 23, of Wood Corner Caravan Park in Maldon was charged with murder last night (Saturday July 18) and will appear before magistrates in Chelmsford tomorrow morning.

He will stay in police custody until his court appearance.

Update Monday: 

A man charged with murder will face a Crown Court judge tomorrow morning.

Matthew Smith, 23, of Wood Corner Caravan Park, Maldon, came before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court this morning.

He is charged with murdering Isabel Rebecca Parker, on July 17, after her body was found inside a property in Booth Place, Burnham.

The factory worker, who spoke only to confirm his name and address and was dressed in a red jumper, was told he was being sent to Chelmsford Crown Court because of the severity of the offence.

Smith, who has been remanded in custody since Saturday, will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court at 10am tomorrow.

UPDATE Tuesday: 

Police are now able to name the woman who was murdered in Burnham on Friday, as Isobel Parker, known by her friends and family as Becky.

Miss Parker was 23-years-old and from Booth Place, Burnham.

Officers were called just after 3.50pm on Friday, July 17 following reports that a woman had been found collapsed in a property in Booth Place.

Police officers and ambulance crews attended but sadly she had died.

A post-mortem examination has given the provisional cause of death ligature strangulation.