Barbara McClatchie, a photo journalist from Canada, was found dead by the side of a highway, the Yucatan state prosecutor's office said on Saturday.

The 74-year-old's body was discovered early on Friday alongside a road between the southeastern cities of Merida and Cancun. She was reportedly strangled to death.

The prosecutor's office said her death is currently being investigated.

According to the Yucatan Times, investigators reported that she also suffered numerous blows to her face and other parts of her body.

McClatchie lived in Merida, where she supported a nonprofit art gallery which fosters emerging artists, according to her website.

Merida is home to numerous foreigners and expats and has been spared much of the violence affecting other areas of Mexico.

McClatchie traveled to over 50 countries for her work as a photo journalist. Her images have been published in magazines including National Geographic.

rs/rc  (AP, dpa)