The tragic past of Jordana Carr, a young teacher found dead at her home last week, has been revealed, as tributes continue to pour in.

Her mother, Maria Colaco, was murdered in a brutal attack at her home several years ago.

Ms Carr was discovered at her home in Maidstone Road, Platt on Thursday after emergency services received a call concerning her welfare.

The 35-year-old, who worked as a special needs teacher for Kent County Council, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Miss Colaco, 50, died after being left with severe injuries after a brutal attack on New Year's Day 2010.

Andrew Gaffney was jailed for life for the murder in June 2010 and the court heard how his sickening attack on Miss Colaco had left her with injuries similar to a road crash victim.

Gaffney, 39, went to sleep after telling his mother about the attack, which happened at the victims home in Barnet, London.

He called 999 a day later to say his girlfriend was injured.

A victim impact statement from Ms Carr was read out during the court case. In it she expressed desperation in trying to come to terms with her mother's murder and said it caused enormous pain for the family.

She described suffering nightmares about the attack and condemned Gaffney for his actions.

The statement described Miss Colaco as a beautiful, lively and outgoing person who was dedicated to her four grandchildren. Around 350 people turned out for her funeral.

Head of the Cedars Pupil Referral Unit in Bower Mount Road, Maidstone, where Ms Carr worked for just over a year, paid tribute to her.

Barbara Wallace, said: "The unexpected death of Jordana Carr has been a great shock to the children and staff, it is difficult to find the words to express how much she will be missed and how different school will be without her.

"Jordana was passionate about changing the lives of the children and it was her work as Special Educational Needs Coordinator to Key Stage 4 pupils that she was most excited about, having just completed her training this year.

"Out heartfelt sympathy goes out to her young family who we know she loved deeply and spoke of often."

In the days after Ms Carr's death friends and family paid emotional tribute to her on social media.

Watch: Today's news on KMTV