Danielle McLaughlin’s body was found naked and in a pool of blood in Goa, India. Picture: Facebook.

The body of Danielle McLaughlin, 28, from Donegal in Ireland, was discovered naked in a field near a beach in the coastal region of Goa on Tuesday.

Her face was mutilated with a broken beer bottle, The Sun reports.

Police have charged Indian man Vikat Bhagat, 24, with her murder.

A post-mortem revealed evidence of sexual assault and “compression of the neck”, according to the Herald Goa.

Umesh Gaonkar, of Goa Police, said the examination showed that Ms McLaughlin suffered cerebral damage as well as constriction of the neck, causing her death.

Strangulation has been named as the official cause of death.

CCTV shows Danielle McLaughlin’s last movements. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

Vikat Bhagat, the man charged with murdering Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin in Goa, India. Picture: Facebook.Source:Supplied

Officer Sammy Tavares of the Goa police told AFP: “Reports have confirmed that Danielle was raped before the murder.”

Tavares said: “Besides the earlier charge of murder we have also booked him for rape.

“The accused will be in police custody until March 22 after which he’ll be produced in court.”

Ms Mclaughlin’s final moments were recorded on CCTV just hours before her violent death.

She can be seen walking in the street and turns as if to speak to a man behind her.

Hours later the body of the young woman, who had been celebrating the Holi festival signalling good over evil, was found naked in a pool of blood near Deobag Beach.

Police revealed suspect Bhagat had confessed to murdering Danielle, who had dual British and Irish citizenship.

Police said Mr Bhagat told them that he had met Ms McLaughlin when she visited Goa last year and she had called him when she returned to Palolem last weekend, The Sun reports.

Inspector Uttam Desai said: “He claimed he was totally drunk and does not remember much after the murder.”

“They had spent most of Monday afternoon drinking at various beachside bars in the area.”

It is understood that the victim asked Bhagat to take her to Leopard Valley, a nearby nightclub built into a jungle quarry.

He then walked her to an isolated area, where he allegedly raped and murdered her.

British backpacker Danielle McLaughlin was found dead on a beach in Goa, India. Picture: Facebook.Source:Supplied

Mr Bhagat was known to police, having been previously charged with a number of burglaries that targeted tourist areas.

Goa police records also show that, just a month ago, he was booked for a violent assault on a local travel agent, who claimed that Mr Bhagat attacked and threatened to kill him in his shop.

Before her departure a few weeks ago, Ms McLaughlin posted a haunting final message on Facebook:

“Thank you to all my friends and family for making home so special and always looking after me.

“I am very grateful and the luckiest person I know...Off on another adventure...”.

Ms McLaughlin had been living in Liverpool but moved back home to Buncrana, County Donegal, Ireland, after her grandfather died, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Her family and friends were left devastated after being told of her death — and described her as adventurous, sweet and beautiful.

Danielle McLaughlin was at a party to celebrate Holi — a festival the signifies the victory of good over evil — the night before she was found dead on a beach in Goa, India. Picture: Facebook.Source:Supplied

Andrea Brannigan, the victim’s mother, told the Press Association: “The family would like to express our thanks to all who have got in touch since receiving this awful news.

“As you can expect we are finding it very difficult at this trying time.

“We want to thank the Irish and British consulates, along with Colin from the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, and many friends who have assisted at this time. Danielle will be sadly missed by us all.”

Ms McLaughlin was the eldest of five daughters.

Danielle McLaughlin, left, has been described by friends and family as “adventurous, sweet and beautiful.” Picture: FacebookSource:Supplied

A fundraising page has been set up to help with repatriation and funeral expenses.

The beach resort state of Goa is a popular destination for western tourists visiting India.

Several foreigners have died in Goa over the past decade or so, including 15-year-old British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling, whose bruised and semi-naked body was found in shallow water on a beach in 2008.

Last September two Indian men were cleared of the rape and murder of Keeling, whose death became international news, shining a spotlight on the seedy side of the resort destination popular with Western hippies and also drawing attention to India’s sluggish justice system.

The deaths, many in suspicious circumstances or from drug or alcohol abuse, have blighted the picturesque state’s reputation as a tourist haven.