FamilyThe family of Harshita Brella, whose body was found in the boot of a car in Ilford, east London, have said they are “heartbroken”.
Police believe Ms Brella, 24, from Corby, Northamptonshire, was murdered by her husband, Pankaj Lamba.
Ms Brella’s family said she and Mr Lamba, 23, had entered into an arranged marriage, with a legal wedding held in August 2023.
The couple had their traditional Indian ceremony on 22 March this year, before they left for the UK around 30 April, settling in Corby.
Here’s what we know so far about the investigation:
3 September: Domestic Violence Protection Order issued
Ms Brella was the subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order in the months before her death.
The order, issued by magistrates in September, told Mr Lamba not to harass, pester or intimidate her.
He was also told to pay police £480 in costs.
After 28 days, on 1 October, the order expired.
10 November: Last spoke to family in India
Her family said they had last spoken to Ms Brella by phone on 10 November.
She told them she had made dinner and was waiting for Mr Lamba to come home.
Her sister, Sonia Dabas, said Ms Brella’s phone was off for the next two days, and by 13 November they “thought something was wrong”.
13 November: Northamptonshire Police contacted
Three days later, the family contacted Northamptonshire Police and told the force about their concerns for Ms Brella’s welfare. This led to the discovery of her body – and the launch of a murder investigation.
The force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct – a mandatory step because of officers’ previous contact with Ms Brella.
14 November: Harshita Brella’s body found in east London
Ms Brella was found by police in the early hours of 14 November in a vehicle on Brisbane Road, Ilford, 100 miles from her home in Corby.
The following day Northamptonshire Police said a forensic post-mortem examination, which took place at Leicester Royal Infirmary, established Ms Brella was murdered.
17 November: Murder investigation begins
Northamptonshire PoliceNorthamptonshire Police open a murder investigation, and name Ms Brella’s husband, Pankaj Lamba, as the prime suspect.
Officers suspect Mr Lamba has fled the country, prompting an international manhunt.
19 November: Cause of death revealed and new CCTV images released
Northamptonshire Police said a post-mortem examination found the preliminary cause of death was strangulation.
Detectives also released new CCTV pictures of Mr Lamba and a silver Vauxhall Corsa, which they believe he drove from Corby to Ilford sometime on the morning of 11 November.
Northamptonshire Police20 November: Inquest opened
The inquest into Ms Brella’s death was opened and adjourned at the Guildhall in Northampton.
The Senior Coroner for Northamptonshire, Anne Pember, said Ms Brella’s body had not yet been released.
The inquest is set to resume on 21 May 2025.
21 November: Police share CCTV image of couple
Northamptonshire PoliceDetectives investigating Ms Brella’s death released a CCTV image of her walking with Mr Lamba on the night they believe she was killed.
The picture shows the pair walking together near Corby’s boating lake on 10 November.
Det Ch Insp Johnny Campbell, from the East Midlands major crime unit, said searches were being carried out in the area.
“We know that it’s a busy part of the town and there will have been a lot of passing traffic,” he added.
The force appealed for anyone who was in Corby between 18:00 and 21:00 that day, specifically near the boating lake, Cottingham Road and Westcott Way, to get in touch.
