The president of the Republic of Mauritius has pledged that the men who murdered a Scottish woman in front of her 10-year-old son will brought to justice.

Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Herald last night, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim said the “culprits” who smothered 47-year-old Janice Farman in her own home “would soon be arrested”.

The president also paid tribute to Farman, who was the managing director of a company on the island, saying “as a mother my heart goes out to her family”.

Police were called to a property at Albion on the Indian Ocean island at about 1am on Friday and discovered Farman's body in bed.

Daniel Monvoisin, from the country's western criminal investigation division, said Farman had been beaten and smothered with a cushion.

Three masked intruders fled with jewellery, cash and her car, a Nissan Tiida, which was later found abandoned by the side of the road.

Farman’s 10-year-old son Gavin, who was adopted when he was two months old, was tied up during the attack.

He was later released and it was reported locally that he called one of Farman’s colleagues and sobbed: “My mum’s mouth is covered in blood and she is not breathing.”

The colleague wrote on Facebook: “He clearly had no idea what was going on and he was simply in a state of shock. We called police and it was later confirmed she didn’t make it.”

The child was taken into care by the island’s child development unit.

Speaking to the Sunday Herald last night, President Gurib-Fakim described Farman, who was from Clydebank, as a “professional” who had lived in Mauritius for “many years”.

She said: “As a mother, my heart goes out to her family and 10-year-old son as nothing will ever replace the kind attention and love that only a mother brings.

“The police have opened an inquiry and we hope that the culprits will soon be arrested and brought to justice.

“Nothing can ever justify such callous brutality that takes away the lives of innocent people. May she rest in peace.”

It was reported locally that Farman was separated from her second husband Jean-Baptiste Moutou.

He confirmed the separation last night and said Farman revealed she was planning to return to Scotland with her son in a phone conversation days before she died.

Moutou said Farman was robbed two weeks ago, after moving to Albion.

Moutou said: “I talked to her on the phone on Wednesday. She said that everything was fine but that she wanted to leave Mauritius. She wanted to return to Scotland.

“She asked for my help in initiating the proceedings. What happened is terrible. Janice is someone who would not hurt a fly.”

Kate O'Brien, who represents the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) in the UK moved to reassure Scots holidaymakers heading for the island.

Speaking to the Sunday Herald last night, she said: “We are extremely saddened to hear of the murder of Janice Farman at her home on the island.

“Mauritius’ extremely low crime rate means that this has come as a terrible shock. To reassure holidaymakers - this tragedy was an isolated incident at a residential property.

“All hotels and resorts in Mauritius take the safety of their guests incredibly seriously with security measures in place at all times, regardless of the low risk of violent acts.”

Farman, who has lived in Mauritius since 2004, was managing director of PECS Data Services in the island nation.

Stephen Littlechild, group MD of UK-based PECS Data Services, closed the Mauritius office on Friday “as a mark of respect to a wonderful lady” and colleagues were offered counselling.

Littlechild added: “Our thoughts are with Janice's family, friends and colleagues.”

A colleague, who did not want to be named, said: “She is the most kind-hearted lady I have met in my life. She would never hesitate to offer her help as and when needed.

“As a friend - she would help me every time I would be in distress.

“She always knew when something was wrong with me, so she would do her utmost possible, so we could go out on lunch or something so we can discuss everything and try to sort things out.”

Police in Mauritius have launched a murder investigation and are hunting three suspects. The car is being examined by specialists.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are assisting the family of a British woman following her death in Mauritius and are in contact with the local authorities.”