Gardaí are tonight searching for the murder weapon used to kill a mother-of-three in Co Louth.
The body of Irene White (43) was discovered yesterday by her 70-year-old mother in the home at Demesne Road, Dundalk.
Officers believe she may have been washing dishes at the kitchen sink before the incident took place.
Superintendent Pat McGee, who is leading the murder investigation said detectives were following up a number of leads.
"Searches are going on in the area of the house where Irene White was found, also in a park beside her house for a murder weapon," he said.
A post mortem examination carried out by State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy last night concluded that Ms White died of multiple stab wounds in what gardai said was a "horrific, brutal killing".
Ms White was the separated mother of three daughters: Jennifer (17) and Dairine and Damhan, both under 10-years-old. Their mother was last seen at around 9.30am yesterday as she dropped the two youngest children at school.
Supt McGee said gardai were trying to establish what had happened in the critical period between then and lunchtime, when her body was discovered.
Ms White's mother, Maureen McBride, who lives in a mobile home to the rear of the house, often visited for a cup of tea. She discovered the body around lunchtime yesterday as she entered the house through the back door, which was often left open.
Forensic teams have been examining the scene since the body was discovered shortly after noon yesterday.
Supt Magee said: "This was a particularly horrific, brutal killing of a young woman who lived at McSweeny St here in Dundalk. The injuries were mostly knife injuries to the upper body.
It has been reported there was no sign of forced entry at the house. Gardaí have also sealed off the Ice House Hill park close to Ms White's house and are searching for the murder weapon.
Gardaí have renewed an appeal for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area between 8.30am and lunchtime yesterday to come forward.