International manhunt launched for husband after woman’s body found in car boot

UK

An international manhunt is underway for the husband of a murdered woman, whose body was found in the boot of a car.

The body of Harshita Brella was found in London on Thursday, tens of miles away from her home in Corby.

On Sunday, Northamptonshire Police said they were looking for Pankaj Lamba – who they believe has left the country.

“Our inquiries lead us to suspect that Harshita was murdered in Northamptonshire earlier this month by her husband Pankaj Lamba,” said chief inspector Paul Cash.

“We suspect Lamba transported Harshita’s body from Northamptonshire to Ilford by car.”

“Fast track” enquires were made after the force was contacted on Wednesday by someone concerned about Ms Brella’s welfare. After she failed to answer the door at her home in Skegness Walk, Corby, a missing person investigation was launched.

A post mortem – conducted at Leicester Royal Infirmary the next day – established she had been murdered.

Harshita Brella, 24, from Corby. Her body was found in a car in east London.
Pic: Northamptonshire Police
Image:
Harshita Brella, 24, from Corby. Her body was found in a car in east London.
Pic: Northamptonshire Police

More than 60 detectives are working on the case, with lines of enquiry including going house to house and property searches, as well as looking at CCTV and ANPR.

“We are of course continuing to appeal for any information that will help us piece together exactly what happened as we work to get justice for Harshita,” said chief inspector Cash.

“I urge anyone listening to or reading this statement, that 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.”

Pankaj Lamba.
Image:
Pankaj Lamba.

Force referred to police watchdog

On Saturday, Northamptonshire Police said it had made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to previous contact between the force and the victim.

Northamptonshire Police previously said officers had been conducting investigations at three locations: Skegness Walk and Sturton Walk in Corby and Brisbane Road, Ilford, where Ms Brella’s body was found.

East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit (EMSOU) and Northamptonshire Police said they were working “around the clock to establish the circumstances behind her death, including the exact location and timeframe in which it took place”.

Articles You May Like

‘Mind-boggling’ Brexit rules hit British food exports by £3bn a year
What are Starmer’s milestones, what’s missing, and how easy are they to achieve?
Big-play Broncos withstand career game from Jameis Winston in wild victory
Magician Penn Jillette: ‘I really enjoyed working with Trump… Now I’m on his hate list’
In pictures: Rihanna and ASAP Rocky among celebrities at British Fashion Awards