A husband accused of murdering his wife with a shotgun blast to her face sent a Facebook post to their children saying sorry moments after the killing.

Suspect Roderick Cassar, 42, is said to have blasted his wife in the face and chest a day after she turned to police for protection from his violent behaviour, report local media in Malta.

Victim Bernice Cassar, 40, was later found dead at the Corradino industrial estate in Paola, Malta.

Cassar reportedly shot at her three times while she was on her way to work shortly after 8am on 21st November.

Moments later he sent a chilling message on Facebook to their two children saying: “I love you. I can’t live without you XXX. Sorry. Till we meet again.”

Bernice bled to death in front of her car, Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa reported.

The couple had wed in November 2013, and had a baby son a year later, followed by a daughter.

But Bernice later reported her husband to the police over domestic violence, her friends and family claimed.

Her last complaint was made just one day before she was killed, report local media.

Commissioner Gafa stated: “The police have already interrogated the aggressor and upon the recommendation of the victim’s lawyer, a restraining order was sought.”

Witnesses who heard the gunshots reportedly saw a grey vehicle leaving the scene shortly

Following the Facebook post, police rushed to the children’s school suspecting Cassar would head there.

But instead, he returned to the family home in Qrendi and continued to post messages on social media, including conversations with Bernice’s friends.

He was seized after officers wearing protective gear forced their way in the house and arrested him at around 2.30am on 23rd November.

Cops also seized a shotgun they believe he used as a murder weapon.

Meanwhile, Bernice’s distressed aunt- identified only as Sylvana – said: “Six months we’ve been living this nightmare and no one took him to court.”

The victim’s sister Alessia Cilia wrote a Facebook post saying: “She reported and cried for help but the authorities never really cared.

“She was sad yesterday because Christmas was around the corner and she was fighting for her safety and that of her kids.”

Bernice’s murder is the first since Malta introduced the concept of femicide in the Criminal Code.

The investigation continues.