Harshita Brella murder: CCTV shows her walking with husband

Northamptonshire Police CCTV of two people walking at night. — A CCTV image showed Pankaj Lamba and Harshita Brella at Corby Boating Lake at about 18:30 GMT on Sunday, 10 November

Detectives investigating the murder of a woman found dead in a car boot have released a CCTV image of her on the night they believe she was killed.

The body of Harshita Brella, 24, of Corby, Northamptonshire, was discovered in Ilford, east London on 14 November.

Ms Brella’s husband, Pankaj Lamba, 23, of Sturton Walk, Corby, is being treated as a prime suspect and is believed to have fled the country.

A photo shows the pair walking together near the town’s boating lake on Sunday, 10 November and police appealed for anyone who was in the Cottingham Road area that evening to contact them.

Ms Brella was the subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order in the months before her death

Family A woman in a yellow and white trimmed traditional Indian saree holds her phone in her left hand standing by a wooden doorway. — Ms Brella was the subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order in the months before her death

Det Ch Insp Johnny Campbell from the East Midlands Major Crime Unit said: “Our inquiries have established that Pankaj and Harshita were in the area of the boating lake on Sunday evening, and as part of our ongoing investigation we have carried out searches in the surrounding area.

“We know that it’s a busy part of the town and there will have been a lot of passing traffic.

“As such, we’re appealing to anyone who was in Corby between 18:00 and 21:00 on Sunday, November 10, specifically in the area around the Corby Boating Lake, Cottingham Road and Westcott Way.”

Specialist police dogs and their handlers have been searching areas around the boating lake in connection with the murder of Harshita Brella

Northamptonshire Police A dog, on a yellow lead, is sniffing at the ground while its handler walks behind it. The path they are walking on is covered in orange and red leaves. — Specialist police dogs and their handlers have been searching areas around the boating lake in connection with the murder of Harshita Brella

Earlier this week, officers released images of Pankaj Lamba in the Ilford area and appealed for information from anyone who may have interacted with him.

Officers visited Ms Brella’s home on Skegness Walk, Corby, on 13 November over concern for her welfare.

When she could not be located, a missing person investigation was launched, leading to the discovery of her body in the boot of a car on Brisbane Road, Ilford.

A post-mortem examination found she died of strangulation.

CCTV shows Pankaj Lamba walking down Jaffe Road in Ilford

Northamptonshire Police A man in a grey hoodie with the hood up, grey jogging bottoms and a large back pack walks down a path next to a road just off a high street. — CCTV shows Pankaj Lamba walking down Jaffe Road in Ilford

A police spokesman confirmed Ms Brella had previously been the victim of domestic violence and was made subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) at Northampton Magistrates’ Court in September.

Northamptonshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of previous contact with her.

Assistant chief constable Emma James said Northamptonshire Police has reviewed the force’s handling of an investigation launched following a domestic abuse allegation by Ms Brella on 29 August.

She said: “Harshita was placed in a refuge and visited and contacted by officers on a number of occasions throughout the investigation.

“The alleged perpetrator was identified, quickly arrested and bailed with conditions.

“This case has been referred for a Domestic Homicide Review which will seek to identify any learning.”