Updated 7.05pm

A man is being held by the police after his partner was found dead at her residence in Paola on Saturday morning. 

35-year-old Lourdes Agius was found in her bedroom by her mother, who promptly took to the streets in panic to say her daughter had been murdered. 

Police sources said the victim's partner, a 25-year-old from the Ivory Coast, is being held for questioning. The two are believed to have a history of domestic violence and the suspect slept at the same residence on Friday night. 

The victim was found with marks to her neck indicating she had been strangled, a source told Times of Malta.

Ms Agius is understood have been the mother of six children. Three of those were with her partner, who is being held for questioning, with another three from a previous relationship. 

The suspect walked into Paola police station of his own volition, sources said. he was seen on site shortly after the police arrived holding a baby, according to witnesses. The infant is the youngest of the couple's children. 

Police provided no other details apart from the fact that a magistrate had ordered an inquiry and that an autopsy would establish the exact cause of death. 

Police were on site at the residence in Triq F Tortell after they were alerted to the case around 7am. 

The road was closed to traffic.