An international manhunt is underway for the husband of a woman who was killed and found in the trunk of a car.

Northamptonshire Police have named Pankaj Lamba as the prime suspect in the murder of Harshita Brella, 24, from Corby.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Cash told a press conference in Kettering: “Investigations lead us to suspect that Harshita was murdered by her husband Pankaj Lamba in Northamptonshire earlier this month.

A murder investigation has been launched after his body was found in the boot of the car on Brisbane Road in Ilford, east London, in the early hours of Thursday.

The force was contacted on Wednesday by a member of the public concerned for his welfare.

Officers went to his home in Skegness Walk, Corby, but received no response.

A missing person investigation was launched and his body was found in the car.

It was determined that he was killed by autopsy.

A police spokesman previously confirmed Ms Brella was a previous victim of domestic violence and was made subject to a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) at Northampton Magistrates’ Court in early September.

Northamptonshire Police also made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to previous contacts between the force and Ms Brella.

He added: “Officers and detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit and Northamptonshire Police, working with colleagues from the Metropolitan Police, are working around the clock to establish the circumstances behind Harshita’s death, including the exact location and time period.” .

More than 60 detectives are currently working on the case.

Investigators carry out house-to-house searches and property searches and look at CCTV and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) footage for possible clues.

The DVPO reportedly banned the perpetrator of the violence from visiting Ms Brella’s workplace for 28 days.

The person was prevented from harassing, threatening or intimidating, harassing or harassing him, and was also told not to encourage or instruct others to contact him in any way.

The order was served by Northamptonshire Police and enforced by magistrates.

Since then, no formal charges have been registered by the court against the same person, and according to reports, he was released after a hearing but ordered to pay full costs.

He said: “If you have seen anything suspicious in the last week or have any information, no matter how small, please contact us.

“We would always rather receive well-intentioned information that turns out to be nothing than not receive it all.”

Additional police patrols will be deployed in Corby over the coming days to reassure the public but officers believe there is no greater risk.

Anyone who may have information is asked to call police on 101, quoting Operation Westcott, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

They can also submit information online at mipp.police.uk.