Harshita Brella murder: one year on
It's been a year since the 24 year old Corby woman's body was found in a car in East London.
As the anniversary of the murder of a woman from Corby approaches Northamptonshire Police say their thoughts remain with her family and those who loved her, as their investigation continues.
A year ago today was the last time 24 year old Harshita Brella's family had contact with her.
The 24 year old's body was found inside the boot of a vehicle in Ilford, east London, in the early hours of Thursday, November 14 2024. A post mortem later revealed she had been raped and strangled.
Detectives working on the case suspect that Harshita was murdered in Corby on the evening of Sunday, November 10 2024, and at the time appealed for hear from people who were in the Cottingham Road area of Corby on that evening.
CCTV of Harshita and her husband Pankaj Lamba shows the pair at Corby Boating Lake at 6:30pm on the 10th.
In March of this year the Crown Prosecution service charged Harshita's husband with her murder. He's believed to have fled to India.
In a statement to us last week, where Northamptonshire police revealed in the summer they had travelled to India to meet with Harshita's family and return her belongings.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Johnny Campbell, also said:
"This is an exceptionally complex case and with criminal proceedings now active in the UK, we are unable to go into detail about the investigation at this time. However, we can confirm that the Indian authorities have been made aware through the appropriate channels of the charging decision.
"The investigation is very much ongoing and we remain as determined as ever to bring the person responsible for Harshita's death to justice.
"Once again, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Harshita's family, and we will continue to offer support as the investigation and our work to secure justice for Harshita and her family continues."
"It's like there's something missing from my body"
At the time of her death her family in India spoke to reporters about their devastation.
Her mother Sudesh Kumari said:
"I want my daughter back as soon as possible in whatever condition, I want to see my daughter soon and she should get justice"
Her sister Sonia said the family couldn't believe what had happened:
"It's like there is something missing from my body, from within me now, I don't understand when it will be normal life ever. I can't forget her ever for as long as I live. I used to think she's my responsibility, she's my younger sister, but I didn't get the chance. "
Corby MP Lee Barron
At the time of her death the Corby MP Lee Barron raised the issue of her murder at Prime Ministers Questions.
MP Lee Barron last week spoke to the Home Secretary, and the Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet.
In his letter to the Home Secretary he said:
"In Corby, Harshita was a much-loved friend and work colleague, and her death had a major impact on our community. Days after her death, a vigil attracted sympathisers who wanted to remember the young woman who just months before her death had spent time in a refuge after she had been identified as at ‘high risk of domestic abuse’.
"I was able to raise Harshita’s case at Prime Minister’s Questions. I called on more support for victims of domestic abuse and would like to know one year on what lessons have been learned to protect vulnerable individuals. I hope you will be able to raise these concerns on behalf of Harshita’s family and friends and give reassurances to our community."
In his letter to the Chief Constable he asked what steps are being taken to arrest her husband Pankaj Lamba and asked that he be assured that her family are being kept informed.