LONDON, UK — Authorities in England are intensifying their search for a man suspected of murdering his 24-year-old wife, Harshita Brella, whose body was discovered in the trunk of a car in the Ilford area of London last week.
Brella’s remains were found in the early hours of Thursday, November 14, 2024. after Northamptonshire Police launched a welfare check at her home in Corby.
The investigation began when concerned calls about her whereabouts led officers to initiate a missing person’s case.
An autopsy conducted at Leicester Royal Infirmary confirmed that Brella had been murdered.
Authorities believe she was killed earlier this month in Northamptonshire before her body was transported to Ilford by car.
Husband Named as Suspect
Northamptonshire Police have identified Brella’s husband, Pankaj Lamba, as the prime suspect in her killing.
Police suspect Lamba fled the country shortly after the alleged crime.
In a statement released Sunday, November 17, 2024, Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell of the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit (EMSOU) said: “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.”
Campbell urged anyone with information to come forward, adding, “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.”
Investigation Underway
More than 60 detectives are actively working on the case, conducting property searches, reviewing CCTV footage, and speaking with potential witnesses in the area.
Northamptonshire Police Chief Inspector Paul Cash described the case as “absolutely tragic” in a video statement shared on social media, emphasising the importance of community cooperation.
“I urge anyone with information, no matter how small, to contact us,” Cash said.
“We would rather receive well-meaning information that turns out to be nothing than miss crucial details.”
Community Impact
The discovery of Brella’s body has shaken the Corby community.
Local neighbourhood officers have been deployed to provide reassurance to residents, with police encouraging anyone with concerns to approach them directly.
“I want to express my heartfelt condolences to everyone who loved Harshita Brella,” Campbell said.
The Metropolitan Police are assisting Northamptonshire authorities in the investigation.
Appeal for Information
Officials have released a photo of Lamba and are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts or suspicious activity in recent weeks to come forward.
Those with relevant information can contact police via phone, through an online portal at www.mipp.police.uk, or anonymously through Crimestoppers.
The investigation continues, as detectives work tirelessly to piece together the events leading up to Brella’s death and to bring her killer to justice.
