The murdered woman found in the boot of a car 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 launched a murder investigation.

“Swift” inquiries were made after the force was contacted by a member of the public with concerns about Mr Brella’s welfare on Wednesday. Officers were sent to her home in Skegness Walk, Corby, but after receiving no response launched a missing person’s investigation.

This led to the discovery of her body in the boot of a car on Thursday. An autopsy, which was carried out at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Friday, determined that Ms Brella had been killed.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell said: “While we believe Harshita was attacked by someone she knew, we are keeping an open mind and are appealing to anyone who knew her to contact us with any relevant information they have -could have.

“If you have seen anything suspicious in the past week or have any information, however small, please contact us. We would always rather receive well-intentioned information that turns out to be nothing, than not receive it at all.”

Mr Campbell added: “She was a young woman in her 20s with her whole life ahead of her and it is absolutely tragic that her life was 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 time frame in which it occurred.”

Northamptonshire Police previously said: “The investigation is ongoing and policing will continue over the weekend at various locations including Corby and Ilford.

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

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

Northamptonshire Police 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 trunk of named car – police say victim may have been ‘targeted’