New CCTV has emerged showing a 24-year-old woman walking with her suspected killer husband just days before her body was found dumped in the boot of a car.
Harshita Brella, who was strangled to death, was found inside the boot of a vehicle on Brisbane Road in Ilford, east London, in the early hours of last Thursday.
An international manhunt is now underway for her husband Pankaj Lamba, 23, who has since fled.
He is suspected of killing his wife in Corby on the evening of Sunday November 10 before driving 100 miles to ditch her body in Ilford the next day.
Now police have released CCTV footage of Ms Brella walking with Mr Lamba at Corby Boating Lake in Northamptonshire at around 6.30pm that day.
Police officers and specialist police dogs have been searching the area in connection with the murder of the 24-year-old.
CCTV image showing Pankaj Lamba and Harshita Brella at Corby Boating Lake on Sunday, November 10, at about 6.30pm
Harshita Brella, 24, was found inside the boot of a vehicle on Brisbane Road in Ilford, east London, in the early hours of last Thursday
Specialist police dogs and their handlers search areas around Corby Boating Lake in connection with the murder of Harshita Brella
It comes after police earlier this week released footage of Mr Lamba in the Ilford area and appealed for information from anyone who may have interacted with him.
Further photos show the car on Brisbane Road, where it was later found with Ms Brella’s body inside.
It previously emerged that Ms Brella had tried to run away from her husband, and that she first went to police claiming to have been the victim of domestic violence in August.
Police are currently appealing to anyone who was in the Cottingham Road of Corby between 6pm and 9pm on Sunday, November 10 to come forward.
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 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 6pm and 9pm on Sunday, November 10, specifically in the area around the Corby Boating Lake, Cottingham Road and Westcott Way.
Pankaj Lamba, 23, walks down Jaffe Road in Ilford after allegedly dumping his wife’s Harshita Brella’s body in the boot of a car
More CCTV stills showing Lamba in Ilford after he allegedly left his wife’s body in the car
Lamba’s Silver Vauxhall Corsa on Brisbane Road. Ms Brella’s body was later found in the vehicle
‘If you have any dashcam footage, or other information that may be relevant to the investigation, however small, please contact us as soon as possible.
‘Any information you have may help us piece together exactly what happened to Harshita and help bring her killer to justice.’
Northamptonshire Police has launched a review into how Ms Brella’s report of domestic violence was handled following her death.
Assistant Chief Constable Emma James said: ‘Following Harshita’s death, Northamptonshire Police reviewed the Force’s handling of an investigation which was launched following a domestic abuse allegation by Harshita Brella on August 29.
‘The investigation was owned by a specialist detective from within the Domestic Abuse Investigation Team.
‘Harshita was identified as being at high risk of domestic abuse and was immediately assigned an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA). A referral was also made to the MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference), sharing information with partners and collectively formulating a safety plan.
‘Harshita was placed in a refuge and visited and contacted by officers on a number of occasions throughout the investigation.
Tragic final videos show ‘very happy’ Ms Brella, 24, on her wedding day just months before her body was found in a car boot in Ilford
Forensic officers at Ms Brella’s home in Corby, Northamptonshire
Officers at murder victim Ms Brella’s home in Corby on Sunday morning
‘The alleged perpetrator was identified, quickly arrested and bailed with conditions.
‘Northamptonshire Police actively sought and obtained a Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN) and a Domestic Violence Protection Order was authorised at Northampton Magistrates Court on September 5 which remained in place for 28 days whilst the investigations continued against the alleged perpetrator.
‘This case has been referred for a Domestic Homicide Review which will seek to identify any learning.’
This is a breaking news story- more to follow
