Florence Seccombe, who was 69, died after being stabbed in the neck at Plymouth's Bretonside Bus Station at about 0600 BST on Saturday.

It is believed she was afraid to stay at her home in the Prince Rock area of the city because she had been victimised by a local gang and had instead been sleeping rough at the bus station.

Devon and Cornwall Police said they have traced a brother in Plymouth and a sister who now lives in Australia.

Background information

A force spokesman also said the victim, known locally as Flo, had four daughters living in Plymouth; in Ottery St Mary, east Devon; Bude, north Cornwall; and Gosport in Hampshire.

The spokesman said officers would be talking to members of her family to try to get more background information about her as part of their investigation.

Florence Seccombe's body was found next to a cream-coloured duvet she had used for several months as she slept at the bus depot.

There was no evidence she was robbed or beaten up, leading police to believe it was "very callous and calculated incident".

Plymouth City Council described her death as "tragic".

The council said she was known to social services and had a long history of living a "somewhat chaotic and nomadic lifestyle" but had never complained about intimidation.

However, her neighbours said a local gang constantly bothered her, smashed her windows and called her names.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in Bretonside Bus Station between 2000 BST on 17 October and 0600 BST on 18 October to come forward.