Harshita Brella, 24, is suspected to have been killed by her husband Pankaj Lamba.
Northamptonshire Police launched a murder investigation after officers found Harshita’s body in a car parked on Brisbane Road in Ilford, east London. They were made aware of concerns for her welfare the day before.
In a major update on the case on Sunday afternoon, Northants Police said an international manhunt has been launched, but did not say which country they believe Lamba had fled to. More than 60 detectives are working on the case and are following up on numerous lines of inquiry, including house to house and property searches.
Chief Inspector Paul Cash said: “Our inquiries lead us to suspect that Harshita was murdered in Northamptonshire earlier this month by her husband Pankaj Lamba. We suspect Lamba transported Harshita’s body from Northamptonshire to Ilford by car.
“We believe he has now fled the country. We are releasing an image of Pankaj Lamba with this statement.”
(Image: PA)
A post-mortem examination at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Friday determined Harshita had been murdered.
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.
(Image: Google Maps)
“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.”
Northamptonshire Police said they do not believe there is a wider risk to the public as a result of the incident. Extra patrols will be set up in Corby to reassure residents.
(Image: PA)
Northamptonshire Police made a mandatory self-referral to the IOPC after what they described as ‘previous contact’ with Harshita.
Police confirmed Harshita 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.
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