A killer is on the run after a Sri Lankan mother was found murdered alone in her home last night in Melbourne, Australia.

Police say it may have been a random attack, and are unsure of any possible motive, Australian media reported.

Investigators believe someone entered the 48-year-old Prasad Somawansa’s Hoppers Crossing home between 8pm and 9.25pm and attacked her.

Mrs Somawansa suffered “severe upper body trauma” and a family friend discovered her body, police said at a media conference today.

Emergency services were called to the Barber Street residence about 9.30pm.

Her 21-year-old SES volunteer son, Wish, learned of her death while out on a job.

“He’s obviously traumatised, as you can understand,” police said.

Her husband, a transport industry worker who was in Brisbane last night, had asked the family friend to check on his wife after phone calls he made to her were unanswered.

Both family members are speaking with police but neither are suspects, investigators said.

Mrs Somawansa has been described by neighbour’s as a quiet, loving and good woman.

The house was not ransacked, and police are checking whether anything was stolen.

Mrs Somawansa’s body was taken to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine for an autopsy.

Police have appealed for anyone who may have witnessed activity near the home to come forward.

Detective Senior Sergeant Bailey said the family had moved to Australia from Sri Lanka in 1999.

The husband flew back to Melbourne early Friday morning.

The 21-year-old son, who is also a medical student, was “traumatised” by the death, Detective Senior Sergeant Bailey said.

-Agencies