Police Release CCTV Image of Harshita Brella and Husband Prior to Her Death

Detectives investigating the murder of a woman discovered deceased in a car boot have made public a CCTV image of her from the night they believe she was killed. The body of Harshita Brella, 24, from Corby, Northamptonshire, was found in Ilford, east London, on November 14. Ms. Brella’s husband, Pankaj Lamba, 23, of Sturton Walk, Corby, is being treated as a primary suspect and is thought to have left the country. A photograph shows the couple walking together near the town’s boating lake on Sunday, November 10. Police have appealed for anyone who was in the Cottingham Road area that evening to contact them. Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell from the East Midlands major crime unit stated: “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.” He added, “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, 10 November, specifically in the area around the Corby Boating Lake, Cottingham Road and Westcott Way.” Officers visited Ms. Brella’s home on Skegness Walk, Corby, on November 13 due to concerns for her welfare. When she could not be located, a missing person investigation was initiated, which led to the discovery of her body in the boot of a car on Brisbane Road, Ilford. A post-mortem examination concluded that she died of strangulation. Earlier this week, police released images of Pankaj Lamba in the Ilford area and requested information from anyone who may have interacted with him. Ms. Brella had previously been a victim of domestic violence and was made the subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) in September. Northamptonshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of its prior contact with her. Assistant Chief Constable Emma James confirmed that the force had reviewed its handling of an investigation launched after a domestic abuse allegation by Ms. Brella on August 29. She stated: “Harshita was placed in a refuge and visited and contacted by officers on a number of occasions throughout the investigation.” She further noted, “The alleged perpetrator was identified, quickly arrested and bailed with conditions.” Assistant Chief Constable James added, “This case has been referred for a domestic homicide review which will seek to identify any learning.”