British woman ‘murdered in Bulgaria’

Prosecutors in Bulgaria are seeking the most “severe” sentence against the man accused of raping and murdering British woman Jan Bennett in the Bulgarian village where she had recently moved.

Expat Jan Bennett, 67, was attacked while she was out walking her dogs on Thursday and her charred remains were found in bushes just 200 metres from her home.

Boyko Borisov, the Bulgarian prime minister, said on Monday that a firm DNA match had been found from the victim, and praised local police for their investigations. The couple moved to the area after living for years in Altinkum in western Turkey.

He was arrested at his workplace in a local vineyard shortly after the body was found.

In a tribute on Facebook, Roz Millington posted: “I am broken hearted about January Her ordeal doesn’t bear thinking about, such a lovely, funny, caring lady – I shall miss her”. Such a kind person who cared about everyone and all the animals too.

Her friend, restaurateur Karin Dalbak, said: “You coped with life without complaint even when times were hard”.

Mrs Bennett’s 62-year-old husband is understood to have been admitted to a local hospital where he was being treated for shock.

M L Downie shared a photo of Mrs Bennett with the caption: ‘Beautiful kind generous lady, Jan You will be missed. RIP. Xx.’. Friends were meanwhile planning a memorial service in Altinkum. Jan’s brother is believed to be travelling to Bulgaria from Britain. Bless you Jan.’.

Bulgarian prosecution authorities have indicted Ivan Nikolov with charges of raping and murdering British national Janette Bennett, BTA news agency reported on Tuesday.