An investigative television journalist has been raped and murdered in Bulgaria's northern town of Ruse, according to officials.

The body of 30-year-old Viktoria Marinova, whom authorities identified only by her initials, was found on Saturday in a park, Ruse regional prosecutor Georgy Georgiev said on Sunday.

"Her mobile phone, car keys, glasses and part of her clothes were missing," he said.

She was killed by blows on the head and suffocation, Georgiev said, adding that prosecutors were probing all leads - both personal and linked to Marinova's job.

Interior Minister Mladen Marinov later confirmed to journalists that the victim had also been raped.

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov expressed hope that the investigation would succeed because of the "work that has been done".

"Thanks to the large amount of DNA material collected it is just a matter of time before the perpetrator will be found," he said.

Police sources told the AFP news agency that the crime did not immediately appear linked to her work. (Aljazeera)