Harshita Brella: All the facts we know after woman found dead in car boot

Get the latest Daily Record breaking news on WhatsApp

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

Join us on WhatsApp

The body of Harshita Brella's was found in the boot of a car left in east London earlier this week, triggering an international manhunt for her husband Pankaj Lamba who is suspected of murder.

Following a post-mortem in Leicester that revealed the 24-year-old Corby resident had been murdered, Northamptonshire Police released an update on the gruesome investigation today. In addition to looking for Lamba, who is thought to have left the country, dozens of investigators are currently looking into the circumstances surrounding her death, reports the Mirror.

The country that police suspect Lamba fled to was not disclosed. The probe, which is pursuing many lines of inquiry into the young woman's death, is anticipated to include 60 detectives.

Husband 'transported body' by car before fleeing

Police revealed during a news conference on Sunday that they are now looking for Pankaj Lamba, Harshita's husband. Before fleeing the country, they claimed they think he murdered her earlier this month and drove her body over 100 miles from Corby to Ilford.

"Our inquiries lead us to suspect that Harshita was murdered in Northamptonshire earlier this month by her husband Pankaj Lamba, Northamptonshire Police Chief Inspector told press today in Kettering. "We suspect Lamba transported Harshita’s body from Northamptonshire to Ilford by car. We believe he has now fled the country."

Harshita had been victim of domestic violence

The day after authorities were notified of worries regarding Harshita's welfare, her body was discovered in a vehicle on Brisbane Road close to a park. She had previously experienced domestic abuse, and in early September, was made subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order at Northampton Magistrates' Court.

According to police, the order, which was only in effect for 28 days, prohibited the perpetrator from visiting to her place of employment. The person was was prevented from molesting her, from threatening violence, or intimidating, harassing or pestering her, and also told not to encourage or instruct others to contact her in any way.

Northamptonshire Police made a mandatory self-referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the police complaints watchdog, after what they described as "previous contact" with Harshita. They later said that they believed there was no risk to the public.

Victim of a 'targeted incident'

Following her murder, forensic officers investigated Harshita's home, 96 miles away from where she was found earlier this week. Police previously said she might have been the victim of a "targeted incident."

"While we are satisfied there is no wider risk to the public, we understand how shocking and distressing such an incident can be for the local community. Our Neighbourhood officers will continue to provide additional patrols in Corby in the coming days for reassurance, and anyone with any concerns is welcome to approach one of these officers who will be happy to help."

Neighbour heard aggressive argument

A neighbour previously told The Mirror that the day police were called to report Harshita Brella's welfare, she overheard a heated dispute between a man and a woman in her home. Kelly Philp, a 41-year-old single mother who lived next door, claimed the woman sounded scared during the row.

Her bedroom shares a wall with a room in Harshita's house, she said. “I heard a commotion between a man and a woman and I heard banging around,” she said. "They were arguing in a different language so I couldn’t understand what was being said. But it sounded angry and there were raised voices and the woman sounded scared.

"I had a funeral to attend the day after and had my own daughter to look after so I didn’t call police - I just thought it was a relationship argument.” She added the home had been occupied by around five people, who she believes are Eastern European and that Harshita lived there for around a year.

According to her, up to 12 individuals lived there last year, adding people "come and go" from the property. The Northampton Chronicle reported that after some noise concerns were settled last year, the number of residents has decreased and the house has been generally quiet, according to the neighbours.

Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!

Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.

You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.

All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!

If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.