Tragic Murder of Harshita Brella Shocks Corby Community
Harshita Brella, a 24-year-old woman from Corby, Northamptonshire, was found murdered, with police believing her husband Pankaj Lamba is responsible for her death. A post-mortem examination revealed that she died by strangulation, with detectives suspecting she was killed on the evening of 10 November, four days before her body was discovered.
The investigation began when police visited Brella’s home on Skegness Walk on 13 November after concerns were raised about her welfare. When she could not be located, a missing person investigation was launched, ultimately leading to the discovery of her body in the boot of a car on Brisbane Road in Ilford.
Pankaj Lamba, 23, is currently the prime suspect and is believed to have fled the country. Detectives suspect he placed Brella’s body in a silver Vauxhall Corsa and drove to Ilford on the morning of 11 November, abandoning the vehicle and making his escape.
The case has a troubling history of domestic violence. Brella had previously been subject to a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) at Northampton Magistrates’ Court in September. A neighbor reported hearing two intense arguments in the days before her body was found, with one incident involving a woman who “sounded scared.”
Brella’s family became concerned when her phone was off for two days. Her sister, Sonia Dabas, noted that they “thought something was wrong” by 13 November. Her father, Satbir Brella, has publicly appealed for justice, stating, “I want my son-in-law to be brought to justice and I want my daughter’s body brought home.”
Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell from the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit is leading the investigation. He has urged anyone with information about Lamba’s whereabouts or any suspicious activities in Corby, Ilford, or elsewhere to contact the police.
In response to previous contact with Brella, Northamptonshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for review.
An inquest into Brella’s death is scheduled to open on Wednesday morning in Northampton. Meanwhile, police have released CCTV images of the silver Vauxhall Corsa believed to have been used in transporting her body, hoping to generate leads in the ongoing investigation.
The community and Brella’s family are seeking answers and justice, with authorities working to locate Lamba and understand the full circumstances surrounding this tragic murder.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police immediately, as even small details could be crucial to solving this case and bringing closure to Brella’s grieving family.
