Northamptonshire Police are investigating the murder of Harshita Brella, a 24-year-old woman from Corby, whose body was discovered in a car boot in Ilford, east London on 14 November. Her husband, Pankaj Lamba, 23, is the prime suspect and is believed to have fled the country.
Detectives have released CCTV footage showing the couple together near Corby’s boating lake on Sunday, 10 November, the night they believe she was killed. Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell is appealing to anyone who was in the area between 18:00 and 21:00 that evening to come forward with information.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Ms. Brella died from strangulation. Police officers had previously visited her 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.
The case has additional complexity due to Ms. Brella’s previous experiences with domestic violence. In September, she was made the subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO). Northamptonshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of its previous interactions with her.
Assistant Chief Constable Emma James provided details about the force’s previous handling of a domestic abuse allegation made by Ms. Brella on 29 August. She stated that Harshita was placed in a refuge and was visited and contacted by officers multiple times during the investigation. The alleged perpetrator was quickly identified, arrested, and bailed with conditions.
The police have also released images of Pankaj Lamba in the Ilford area and are seeking information from anyone who may have interacted with him. They are particularly interested in gathering more details about his whereabouts and potential movements.
The case has been referred for a domestic homicide review, which will aim to identify any potential learning opportunities or areas for improvement in how such cases are handled.
The investigation is ongoing, with detectives actively seeking witnesses and information. They are particularly keen to speak with anyone who was in the Corby Boating Lake, Cottingham Road, and Westcott Way areas on the evening of 10 November.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Northamptonshire Police or provide details through the appropriate channels. The force is committed to gathering all possible evidence to understand the circumstances surrounding Harshita Brella’s tragic death and to bring the responsible party to justice.
