November 16, 2024, 9:38 p.m. | Updated: November 16, 2024, 9:41 p.m

A woman found dead in the boot of a car in east London has been named as 24-year-old Harshita Brella.

Northamptonshire Police received a call on Wednesday 13 November from someone expressing concern for Harshita’s welfare.

Her body was found in a boot on Brisbane Road in Ilford, east London, on Saturday.

Access to the park near the place where the woman’s body was found would have been closed.

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A forensic tent would have been placed on top of the vehicle, according to local reports.

Detectives from Northamptonshire Police and the Metropolitan Police launched a murder investigation after finding her body.

They believe she was attacked by someone she knows – but say she is keeping an open mind.

Chief Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell of the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit (EMSOU), said: “Firstly, I want to express my sincere condolences to everyone who loved Harshita Brella.

“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.”

DCI Campbell is appealing for anyone who may have information about this incident to come forward.

He 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 may have.

“If you have seen anything suspicious in the last 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.”