'Body Stuffed In Car Boot, Vehicle Abandoned': How Indian-Origin Man Killed Wife In London

Last Updated:November 20, 2024, 10:31 IST

Police are investigating the murder of 24-year-old Harshita Brella, whose body was found in a car in east London on November 14. Her husband, Pankaj Lamba, is the prime suspect.

Images show 24-year-old Harshita Brella (L)/her husband Pankaj Lamba (R) (Source: Northamptonshire Police/Facebook)

The postmortem report of 24-year-old Harshita Brella, whose body was found in a vehicle in east London on November 14, has revealed she died of strangulation, the police have said.

A probe into the case has revealed Harshita was murdered in Corby on the evening of November 10, by her husband, whom the police identified as 23-year-old Pankaj Lamba. They suspect Lamba first strangled his wife and then transported her body from Corby to Ilford by car.

The car was left parked in Brisbane Road, Ilford, and the police believe Lamba then fled the country.

HARISHITA BRELLA MURDER CASE: POLICE INVESTIGATION

According to the police, they had received a call on November 13, informing them that Harshita had been missing. They visited Harshita’s house in Skegness Walk, Corby. However, could not find her there.

Subsequently, a missing person investigation was launched in the case and the probe led to the recovery of her body from inside the boot of a vehicle in Brisbane Road in the Ilford area of London.

In an official statement in connection with the case, senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell from the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit (EMSOU), said, “Our inquiries have established that Pankaj Lamba drove a Silver Vauxhall Corsa (pictured) from Corby to Ilford sometime on the morning of Monday, November 11. We suspect Harshita’s body had been placed in the boot of the vehicle by Lamba before leaving Corby. Lamba then abandoned the vehicle in Brisbane Road, Ilford and made his getaway."

“We are continuing to appeal for information and I would urge anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or had any sightings of Pankaj Lamba in Corby, Ilford or elsewhere in the days leading up to the discovery of Harshita’s body, to contact police as soon as possible. Any information, no matter how small, may be relevant to the investigation and help us get justice for Harshita."

“Specialist officers continue to provide support to Harshita’s family and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time as they try to come to terms with the tragic loss of their daughter and sister," the official said.

News world 'Body Stuffed In Car Boot, Vehicle Abandoned': How Indian-Origin Man Killed Wife In London