The car where a consultant paediatrician was found stabbed to death in a "frenzied attack" was this morning being examined by forensic scientists in minute detail for DNA evidence left by the killer.

Detectives believe the killer may have hidden in the back of Dr Victoria Anyetei's silver Toyota before stabbing her several times in the neck and torso and that he may have left vital evidence.

Neighbours described finding Dr Anyetei sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle on the drive of her home in Dartford, Kent.

Kent Police fear the murder was committed by the parent of a disgruntled patient. As a paediatrician, Dr Anyetei was likely to have been involved in child protection cases and could have been used as an expert witness.

In a statement released this afternoon, Doctor Anyetei’s family said: “We are very shocked and upset and feel a great loss Victoria was a very kind hearted and helpful woman who was a dedicated mother and loving sister.

“She was loved deeply by all of us and will be terribly missed.”

One in seven paediatricians has been the subject of a formal complaint, according to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Last year 75,000 health workers were attacked by relatives, patients or carers.

Dr Anyetei's nephew, David, last night paid tribute to his “wonderful auntie”, adding: “I am extremely shocked. No one can believe something like this could happen to my auntie. She did not have a bad bone in her body. She was very religious and had time for everyone. It does sound like it was planned.”

Another nephew, Phillip Anyetei, said his aunt was an innocent victim. He said: “I am just devastated. We all are. It has not sunk in and none of us can believe it.

“I was going to see her this weekend. She was really looking forward to going to see her uncle in South Africa. She’d been planning it for ages. She was also looking forward to sending her son Andrew to study law at Canterbury University, in Kent.

“The man who did this is just a coward. He should be locked up for life. He could have killed anyone – why was it her? My Auntie was a wonderful woman. I just can’t believe it.”

Dr Anyetei, who had worked as a locum consultant paediatrician at St Thomas’ Hospital since Christmas, was born in Ghana and qualified as a doctor in Prague in 1982. She became registered as a doctor in Britain in 1997. Two years later she became a Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatricians and began her advanced training, which was completed in 2004. During this time she also worked as a senior registrar at St Thomas’ Hospital.

Her colleagues yesterday paid tribute to her medical and personal qualities. Frances Flinter, clinical director of children’s services at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We were extremely sad to learn of Dr Victoria Anyetei’s tragic death and our condolences go out to all her family and friends. Victoria had a lovely warm manner with the children she cared for and they in turn always responded very well to her. They liked having her as their doctor. She was also the sort of doctor that parents instinctively have faith in and she will be very sadly missed by her patients, their parents and all her colleagues.”

Her former minister at the United Reformed Church in Dartford, the Rev Ted Landon, told The Times yesterday: “She was a valued member of the congregation and very active in church affairs even though she was a doctor and had very little spare time. She was a very kind lady. We are all absolutely appalled.”

Margaret Aidoo, a friend of Dr Anyetei, said that she had last seen her on Sunday, when she had seemed her usual self. She said that her friend did not have any personal problems.

Mr Beautridge said yesterday that 20 officers were working on the inquiry. He said they were keeping an open mind: “Someone out there may be able to help us throw some light on what the motive was. This is an horrific and tragic crime,” he said.

Times Recommends

• A vicar’s wife: ‘There is no one to fight for us’
• Every little helps at the supermarket
• Ugg or Fitflop? The battle of the boots