Pictured: Mother of two antiques dealer, 50, who was beaten to death so severely that police 'thought she had been shot' as questioning continues of murder suspect, 52 Robyn Mercer, 50, found with severe head injuries outside £850,000 home Antiques dealer 'rarely seen' with partner Robert Webb, 52, at Surrey home Silver expert worked at upmarket dealers in Mayfair and was a keen rower Neighbours said her injuries so severe 'police thought she had been shot' A 52-year-old man is being held in police custody on suspicion of murder

According to public records, Ms Mercer bought her home in August 2007 and is listed as jointly owning it with Mr Webb.

Residents living on the leafy street said Ms Mercer, a keen member of nearby Walton Rowing Club who had competed in the British rowing masters championships, was 'rarely seen' with Mr Webb, despite their outward appearance of being a 'happy couple'.

They described Mr Webb as a motorbike fanatic who was often seen working on his bike outside their home.  

The mother-of-two (pictured) was a keen member of nearby Walton Rowing Club and had competed in the British rowing masters championships

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: 'The couple were rarely seen together. You would see either one or the other but not together. I maybe saw them together a handful of times over the years.' 

Another neighbour Alistair Davis said he had not seen Mr Webb this weekend but had seen Ms Mercer on Sunday and that she seemed her normal self.

'I saw her the day before. She looked normal and her mood was normal,' he said. 'I had not seen Mr Webb all weekend. 

'He would have regular habits, so he would take out the bins or he would be out the front tinkering with his motorbike. He liked to work on it maybe every Sunday morning.' 

Mr Davis added: 'We've been here for six years and they would not be a couple that you would think they had a poor relationship or things were rocky. There was no sign of any issues.

'It wasn't a family you would hear arguments or disagreements, slamming of doors. None of that.' 

A fellow member of the rowing club Len Lee also said she seemed 'chirpy' the day before she died.

The 69-year-old said: 'I was talking to her around the bar on Sunday. She had been away for a while from the club because she had an accident where she hurt her wrist and could not row.

'She was telling me about coming back to row at the club afterwards. During that conversation she was fine, very chirpy.' 

This morning, forensic officers could still be seen swarming the neighbourhood and combing through bins of neighbouring properties. 

A forensic tent which was erected yesterday in the garden is still in place, while finger-tip searches are being carried out on the property.

Parked outside the property are three Alfa Romeo cars, two of them convertibles.   

Neighbours said that Ms Mercer, who police believe had been there all night, was found face down in a large pool of blood just a short distance from the front door of her home (forensic officers are pictured outside) 

A forensic tent which was erected yesterday in the garden is still in place (pictured), while finger-tip searches are being carried out on the property

A green in front of the row of houses also remains cordoned off with blue and white police tape. 

One neighbour said Ms Mercer had been 'severely battered' and that one of her children might have been inside the house at the time of the discovery.

He said: 'The woman was outside, in the front garden of the house.

'She had her head severely battered with a blunt object of some sort. Police told me that initially they thought she had been shot because the head injuries were so severe.

'Apparently they think she had been dead for some time so she may have been out all night.'  

Ms Mercer was a partner in the antiques family firm of J.H. Bourdon-Smith, which is based in the upmarket St James's area of London.

A Surrey Police spokesman said a post mortem examination would be carried out within a few days to establish the cause of death. Investigations are still ongoing around the property (pictured) 

A green in front of the row of houses also remains cordoned off with blue and white police tape (left). Investigators were this morning combing through bins close to the property (right)

The family-run firm deals in antique and modern silver dating from the 16th century and specialises in early spoons, collectables and house-furnishing silver from the Georgian to Edwardian periods. 

Today, arts specialist Paul Crane, 40, who knew Ms Mercer for 20 years through their trades, said she was the 'most respected' person.

Mr Crane, who works at nearby Brian Haughton gallery, said: 'She was the most kind-hearted, warm, respected lady in our small world here.

'She was always an extremely happy person and somebody who always took the time to wave and smile and take an interest in what we were all doing on a daily basis.

'She will be very, very sorely missed, including her knowledge and experience she had in the field of silver.

'Ms Mercer was one of those people who was a pleasure to bump into every day. The news is a huge shock for everyone here.

One neighbour said Ms Mercer had been 'severely battered' and that one of her children might have been inside the house at the time of the discovery. Forensic officers were seen scouring the area for clues today

Neighbours said the mother-of-two was found face down in a large pool of blood just yards from the front door of the semi-detached home. Investigators are pictured at the scene today 

'She was a very private person but somebody who was always so happy and that was the abiding memory of her and she will be missed enormously.' 

An employee at Alan Wheatley Art, which is based next door to JH Bourdon-Smith, said: 'We are all too upset - it's too horrific to hear that sadness.

'Obviously working next door to her I saw her often. She was wonderful. It is awful.

'She was a wonderful woman and didn't deserve to finish her left like that... It is tragic and it's too much to take in.' 

Ms Mercer was also described as an active member in the local community. She had organised a charity auction which raised £12,000 for a new church roof at nearby St Mary the Virgin in East Molesey. 

A churchgoer who helped run the event told the Evening Standard: 'She was a lovely lady. She was happy to give up her time to help a church where she was not a member of the congregation.'

Ms Mercer was a partner in the antiques family firm of J.H. Bourdon-Smith (pictured), which is based in the upmarket St James's area of London

Ms Mercer's niece Claudia Spickernell, speaking from South Africa, said: 'We have just heard the news. We are all a bit in the dark. Everyone is still just trying to get a grip of everything.' 

A spokesman for Walton Rowing club described her as a 'lovely woman', adding: 'She would go the extra mile for anyone.'  

In a statement, the club added: 'The club has been shocked to learn of the untimely death of one of its members, Robyn Mercer.

'We offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to her family.'  

The Surrey coroner was informed of the suspicious death. A Surrey Police spokesman said a post mortem examination would be carried out within a few days to establish the cause of death. 

The force spokesman said: 'The woman has not yet been formally identified and a post mortem to establish the cause of death will take place in due course.

'A 52-year-old man from West Molesey has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody.

'The investigation is still in the early stages.'