Harshita Brella's body to be repatriated to India

The body of Harshita Brella, whose body was discovered in a car boot in east London, will be repatriated to India this weekend.

Police believe the 24-year-old was fatally strangled in Corby, Northamptonshire, on 10 November and named her husband Pankaj Lamba, 23, as the prime suspect in its murder investigation.

Sentimental personal items belonging to Ms Brella will also be sent to her family to help them begin funeral arrangements.

Det Ch Insp Johnny Campbell from the East Midlands major crime unit said: "We have worked together with Harshita's family to arrange for her body to be repatriated to her family home this weekend."

Officers visited Ms Brella's home on Skegness Walk, Corby, on 13 November following concerns for her welfare.

When she could not be located, a missing person investigation was launched, leading to the discovery of her body in the boot of a car on Brisbane Road, Ilford.

A post-mortem examination found she died of strangulation.

Police have since released images of Mr Lamba in the Ilford area and the couple walking near Corby's boating lake.

Ms Brella had previously been the victim of domestic violence and was made the subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) in September.

Northamptonshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of its previous contact with her.

Officers suspect Mr Lamba has fled the country, prompting an international manhunt that is still ongoing.

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