VENEZUELA- Police have launched an investigation into the killing of Venezuela’s ex-beauty queen, Monica Spear, 29, and her husband, Thomas Berry, a-39-year-old Briton who were shot dead in their car on the highway leading from Valencia to Pueto Cabello.

The deceased became Miss Venezuela in 2004 and also acted in soap operas.

Venezuela’s investigative Police Chief, Jose Gregorio Sierralta said Ms Spear and Mr Berry were travelling at night from the city of Merida to the capital, Caracas, when they hit a sharp object "placed on the road", puncturing at least two of the four tyres of their vehicle.

The couple and their daughter waited for about 45 minutes for breakdown assistance, reported El Universal newspaper.

The car was about to be towed away when a group of five people approached and ordered them to stop.

The couple and their daughter reportedly ran back and hid inside the car but were shot at by the gang.

Ms Spear and Mr. Berry died instantly. Their daughter, Maya, was shot in the leg, but she was said to be in stable condition at an undisclosed hospital.