A major Police hunt was underway last night after a mother of three was stabbed to death in broad daylight at the Esso Tiger Market in Crawl Hill.

Chena Trott, 32, died after being brutally attacked shortly before 4 p.m. at the gas station in Hamilton Parish by a man with whom she is understood to have had a relationship.

She was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital but was pronounced dead at 5.30 p.m.

Her killer, who is understood to have been recently released from Westgate Correctional Facility after serving an eight year sentence for attacking another woman, ran off before stealing a red Peugeot motorcycle, registration number AR 655.

The Royal Gazette has been told that Ms Trott took out a restraining order against the man suspected of her murder.

Last night Ms Trott's father, David F. Trott, appealed for any members of the public who know where the killer is hiding to turn him over to Police.

"She was a nice, lovely, outgoing person. If anyone knows where he is or if they have seen him, please call the Police," he said from his daughter's home at Broken Hill Lane, Hamilton Parish.

According to one source, the killer attacked Ms Trott at the gas station after she refused to get into a car with him.

Bermuda Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said at 10 p.m. last night: "Police are actively pursuing the suspect and searching for him at all points on the Island.

"We would appeal for anyone who knows his whereabouts to contact Police and we would remind people that harbouring a fugitive is an offence under the law."

But Police have not yet released the identity of the suspect.

Police last night found the suspected killer's stolen motorbike in the Middle Town area of Pembroke but the suspect was still at large at Press time.

Shocked staff were kept inside the gas station to be interviewed by detectives as forensic officers combed the scene, while others were taken away to be questioned about the attack.

Describing the murder, Mr. Caines said Ms Trott died following a serious assault at the gas station. He said the suspect was a "close friend" of the dead woman.

The Royal Gazette understands that the woman whom the suspect was previously jailed for attacking was paged by Police last night and put under protective custody for her own safety.

As the manhunt continued last night, there was a heavy Police presence around the Pembroke East area.

Ms Trott, who worked at Devon Springs recycling plant, was the mother of two girls aged 13 and 15, and a son aged ten.

One of Ms Trott's bosses at the plant said he could not believe what had happened as she had last been seen by her colleagues only moments before she was killed.

"To say that I've been shocked is an understatement," said solid waste manager Allan Hunt. "Once I had a confirmation of what happened, I haven't moved since.

"Chena was a good worker. She was usually very quiet and we seldom had any complaints with her."

And waste management officer Clarkston Trott was at a loss for words, but said: "Our hearts go out to the family."

At the murder scene, a man who knows the suspect and his criminal record said: "People don't understand that people just don't change."

A Crawl Hill resident, alarmed that the killer was still at large, called his girlfriend from the gas station and said: "Lock the door and don't open it until I get home."

Crawl Hill resident Janet DeSilva, who lives across the from the gas station, described seeing Ms Trott's inert body lying outside the Tiger Market.

"I just saw her lying down before they they took her away in the ambulance. There was a lot of blood running down her chest and stomach and she looked like she was dead to me," she said.

When told Ms Trott has died, she said: "It's terrible, I don't know what to say. If they don't find him, what's going to happen? They have to run him in to court."

At the gas station last night, residents were clearly shaken that the murder had happened in their neighbourhood.

One woman who knew the victim's family could be heard muttering: "I can't believe it, I can't believe it."

"It doesn't bother me," said one young man, although he was visibly shaken and his eyes were red and puffy.

Anyone with information about the killing or the whereabouts of the suspect is asked to contact Det. Chief Insp. Earl Kirby at 295 0011.