A MOTHER whose dismembered body was found on the A12 has been identified.

The body of Karen Crews, of Alexandra Road, Rayleigh, was discovered in the inside lane of the busy road near Capel St Mary.

Her blue Peugeot 406 car was also found in a lay-by.

A post-mortem examination revealed she died of multiple injuries.

Police investigating her death said they are still unsure how the 50-year-old's body came to be on the southbound carriageway.

Officers believe she might have been hit by a vehicle but they said they could not rule out any suspicious circumstances.

They want to speak to any motorists using the road before the discovery was made on Tuesday at 9.45pm who may have seen anything suspicious.

An inquest is expected to be opened and adjourned presently so a funeral can take place.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: "We are not sure how this occurred, and we would appeal for any drivers to come forward so we can put together a time plan of how she came to be on the carriageway.

"We can't at the moment say whether she was alive or already dead when she got there.

"We simply don't know what may have been in collision with her."

Anyone with information should call Suffolk police on 01473 613500.