A WOMAN believed to have been stabbed to death by her husband before he killed himself was originally from the North-East, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Jodie Lee Weller's body was discovered in the boot of a car parked outside the couple's Lancashire home.

The 28-year-old, who was born in Bishop Auckland, had been stabbed several times in the back and had head injuries.

The body of her 39-year-old husband, Graham, a haulier, was found in the garage.

A hose pipe had been connected to the exhaust of his car and police officers said he left a suicide note.

Lancashire Police believe Mrs Weller - nee Bennett - had been killed about ten days before a member of the public made the grim discovery on Saturday.

Last night, it emerged that Mrs Weller was found wandering in a car park in a distressed state several days before she died. Her white dress was torn and she was shaking with fear.

A neighbour wanted to call police, but Mrs Weller said she only wanted to go home.

The neighbour claimed Mr Weller came to the door, dragged her inside and told him to ignore her, saying she was "always doing this".

The couple, who were said to have been violent towards one another, had been rowing about plans to have children.

Mrs Weller moved to the Lancashire area several years ago. Her brother, Andrew, lives in nearby Skelmersdale.

She is known to have family still in the region, including her grandmother, who lives in Ferryhill, County Durham.

A family liaison officer from Durham Police is supporting them.

Both of Ms Weller's parents are understood to be deceased.

Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell, of Lancashire Police, who is leading the investigation, said they were treating it as a murder investigation.

But he said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

He said detectives have evidence to suggest Mrs Weller had been killed upstairs in the couple's home.

A small vegetable knife, which they believe was the murder weapon, was found inside the red Audi.

Det Supt Gradwell said they would now be preparing a file to enable the coroner to hold an inquest.

Neighbours said the couple, who married two years ago at Chorley Register Office, had a tempestuous relationship.

When they had not seen Mrs Weller for more than a week, friends were told by her husband that she had left him and gone to stay with relatives in the North- East.

Neighbours and friends have laid floral tributes outside the couple's house, marking the spot where they died.