Woman found murdered in car boot in Ilford was 'protected by domestic violence court order two months before attack'

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

A murder investigation is underway after Harshita’s body was found in a vehicle in Brisbane Road, Ilford, shortly after midnight on Thursday.

Releasing her identity late on Saturday, police said they believe she was “targeted” by someone known to her, but added they are “keeping an open mind”.

Harshita’s death is being investigated by the Met police and Northamptonshire Police. No arrests have yet been made.

It was reported on Sunday the victim, who was from Corby, was made the subject of a domestic violence protection order two months ago.

The Northants Telegraph reported she 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 – who has not been named for legal reasons – from visiting her workplace.

No formal charges against the same man have since been recorded by the court, the newspaper reported.

Northamptonshire Police have not directly commented on the report but has said the force has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to previous contact between the force and Harshita.

The force said it received a call on Wednesday regarding concerns for Harshita’s welfare.

“Officers were deployed to her home address in Skegness Walk, Corby, and after getting no answer, launched a missing person investigation,” said a spokesperson.

The woman was found in a car in Brisbane Road, Ilford (file picture) (Google Maps)

“Fast-track enquiries were made which sadly led to the discovery of a woman’s body inside the boot of a vehicle in Brisbane Road in the Ilford area of London, in the early hours of Thursday, November 14.”

Harshita is from the north Northamptonshire town of Corby, around 90 miles north of London.

A post-mortem carried out on Friday established she had been murdered, said the Northamptonshire Police spokesperson.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell from the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit (EMSOU), said in a statement late on Saturday: “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.”

DCI Campbell urged anyone with information about this incident to contact police.

Harshita Brella had ‘her whole life ahead of her’ said police (Northamptonshire Police)

“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,” he said.

“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.”

A Met spokesperson said: "Shortly after midnight on the morning of Thursday, 14 November, the Met was contacted by officers from Northamptonshire Police raising concerns for the welfare of a woman who was believed to be in a car in the east London area.

"The car was located parked in Brisbane Road, Ilford and the body of a 24-year-old woman was found inside the vehicle.”

Photos on Saturday showed a crime scene in place outside the entrance to Valentines Park, which lies at the end of Brisbane Road. The entrance to the park had also been taped off by police.

A crime scene has reportedly been in place at a house in Sturton Walk on Crosby’s Lincoln Estate for four days.

A neighbour told the Northamptonshire Telegraph the house had had around 12 people living in it last year and at one point was subject to noise complaints.

They said the number of people living there has since reduced, and that it is home to people of various European nationalities.

They reported hearing a commotion earlier in the week, telling Northamptonshire Telegraph she heard “banging coming from the house” then heard the gate slam.

"The way that gate slammed I knew something had happened,” she said. “Someone took off quickly.

“I had heard banging coming from the house and then they obviously just legged it.”

The residential street in about half-a-mile long, beginning at main road Ley Street and intersecting several other residential streets, before coming to a dead end at popular green space Valentines Park, which it runs alongside for 500ft.

Supt Freeman said: “Detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team and the Metropolitan Police have been working at pace to establish the circumstances that led to the woman’s death.

“The investigation is ongoing and there will be continued police activity over the weekend in various locations, including Corby and Ilford.

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

“Anyone with any concerns is welcome to approach one of these officers who will be happy to help, and anyone who may have information that could assist our inquiries, is asked to contact us on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”