Murdered woman found in car boot named - as police say victim may have been 'targeted'

The murdered woman found in a car boot in east London has been named as 24-year-old Corby resident Harshita Brella.

Police said Ms Brella may have been the victim of a "targeted incident" and have launched a murder inquiry.

"Fast track" enquiries were made after the force was contacted by a member of the public on Wednesday with concerns about Ms Brella's welfare. Officers were sent to her home in Skegness Walk, Corby but after getting no answer they launched a missing person investigation.

This led to the discovery of her body inside a car boot on Thursday.

A post mortem - conducted at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Friday - established Ms Brella was murdered.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell said: "Although we believe Harshita was attacked by someone known to her, we are keeping an open mind, and would appeal to anyone who knew her to contact us with any relevant information they may have.

"If you saw anything suspicious in the past week or have any information, no matter how small, please contact us. We would always rather receive well-meaning information that turns out to be nothing as opposed to not receiving it all."

Mr Campbell added: "She was a young woman in her early 20s with her whole life ahead of her and it is absolutely tragic that her life has been cut short in this way.

"Detectives from EMSOU and Northamptonshire Police are working around the clock to establish the circumstances behind her death, including the exact location and timeframe in which it took place."

Northamptonshire Police previously said: "The investigation is ongoing and there will be continued police activity over the weekend in various locations, including Corby and Ilford.

"Although we believe that this was a targeted incident and there is no wider risk to members of the public, extra patrols will be taking place in Corby in the coming days for reassurance purposes."

Detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit major crime team are working on the case, to try and establish the circumstances that led to her death.

Northamptonshire Police has also made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to previous contact between the force and the victim.

(c) Sky News 2024: Murdered woman found in car boot named - as police say victim may have been 'targeted'