A woman in her late 40s was murdered yesterday in her San Gwann home. Her 15-year-old daughter, who is believed to have been involved in a heated argument with her mother, was found by the police some two hours after the murder.

Sources said the woman, Teresa Sciberras, was a mother of three – the 15-year-old, an older son and a seven-year-old daughter, who was seen sitting down outside the house in her school uniform when police officers had already arrived on the crime scene early in the afternoon.

The younger daughter was then seen getting a ride with a man, whom sources said was her father.

The police said they were alerted at around 3.30pm that the body of a woman, who was allegedly murdered, was lying in a residence in Sebuqa Street, San Gwann.

Since all their calls went unanswered, the police officers entered the premises through a door in the balcony where they confirmed that the body of a woman was lying in the bedroom. Preliminary investigations also confirmed that the woman had been murdered.

As neighbours stood in shock outside their homes in the quiet Mensija quarter, the area was cordoned off until a police hearse arrived on-site at about 5.45pm.

Although high-ranking police officers and forensic experts on-site refused to give any information whatsoever on the case, ballistic experts were among those on the crime scene, indicating that a firearm could have been used in the murder.

Duty Magistrate Antonio Mizzi appointed various experts to help in the inquiry.

The police are holding a person to help them with their investigations.