Harshita Brella had restraining order against abuser shortly before she was murdered

Harshita Brella, who was found dead in the boot of a car 100 miles from her home, had reportedly been under the protection of an order to protect victims of domestic violence

A young woman murdered and put in the boot of a car had reportedly been under the protection of a court order designed to protect victims of domestic violence.

Harshita Brella, 24, was previously the victim of domestic violence and in early September was made subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) at Northampton Magistrates’ Court.

The order, which only lasted 28 days, banned the perpetrator of the violence from visiting her workplace, the Northamptonshire Telegraph reports.

The person 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.

The order was served by Northamptonshire Police and implemented by magistrates. No formal charges against the same person have since been recorded by the court and they were released following the court hearing but ordered to pay the full costs.

Northamptonshire Police has made a mandatory self-referral to the IOPC after what they described as ‘previous contact’ with Harshita. They said last night that she had likely been murdered by someone ‘known to her’ and that they believed there was no wider risk to the public.

A murder inquiry was launched after her body was found inside the boot of a vehicle in Brisbane Road, Ilford - some 95.7 miles from her home in Corby - in the early hours of Thursday. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell from the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit (EMSOU ), said: “First of all, I want to express my heartfelt condolences to everyone who loved Harshita Brella.

“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.”

Police are appealing for anyone who may have information to come forward. Mr 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.”

The Mirror has contacted Northamptonshire Police for comment.