An international manhunt is underway for Pankaj Lamba, the husband of 24-year-old Harshita Brella, whose body was discovered in the boot of a car in Ilford, east London, last week. A neighbour in Corby, where Ms Brella lived, has revealed hearing intense arguments and unsettling sounds in the days leading up to her death.
Neighbour Describes Disturbing Events
Kelly Philp, a neighbour of Ms. Brella, recalled hearing a heated argument involving a woman who “sounded scared” on Wednesday.
“They were arguing in a different language, so I couldn’t understand what was being said, but it sounded angry, and the woman sounded scared,” Ms. Philp told reporters. “I heard banging and a commotion between a man and a woman. I thought it was a relationship argument and didn’t call the police.”
Ms Philp added that she later overheard two men arguing in a foreign language on Saturday morning and heard a back gate slam shut shortly afterwards.
“I feel so sad about the loss of the lass. I can’t believe it. I feel vulnerable and on edge after hearing what happened,” she said.
The Timeline of Events
Northamptonshire Police launched a missing person investigation on Wednesday, November 13, after receiving a call from someone concerned about Ms Brella’s welfare. Officers attended her home on Skegness Walk in Corby but received no response. Her body was discovered hours later in the boot of a car on Brisbane Road in Ilford, near Valentines Park.
A post-mortem confirmed she had been murdered. Investigators suspect that Ms. Brella was killed in Northamptonshire and that her body was transported to Ilford by her husband, who has since fled the country.
Domestic Violence History and Police Investigation
Northamptonshire Police revealed that Ms Brella was previously the victim of domestic violence and had been placed under a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) in September. The order prohibited the perpetrator from visiting her workplace or contacting her. Following the murder, police referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to prior contact with the victim.
Chief Inspector Paul Cash stated: “We suspect that Harshita was murdered by her husband, Pankaj Lamba, and transported to Ilford. Inquiries suggest he has fled the country.”
Police confirmed that more than 60 detectives are working on the case, conducting house-to-house inquiries, CCTV analysis, and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) checks.
Appeal for Information
Chief Inspector Cash urged the public to come forward with any information: “If you saw anything suspicious in the past week or have any information, no matter how small, please contact us.”
Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell, leading the investigation, added: “Although we believe Harshita was attacked by someone known to her, we are keeping an open mind and urge anyone with information about her life or movements to come forward.”
Community Shocked by Tragedy
The discovery has left the Corby community shaken. Ms Brella’s home, described as a multiple-occupancy property housing up to 12 people, is now a focal point of police investigations. Extra patrols have been deployed in the area to reassure residents.
How to Help
Anyone with information is urged to call 101, quoting Operation Westcott, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111. Information can also be submitted online at mipp.police.uk.
As police work tirelessly to bring the perpetrator to justice, the tragedy has highlighted the critical need to protect victims of domestic violence and prevent such devastating outcomes.
