Richmond Horror: Woman Found Murdered in Garden Grave
Detectives have named the victim of a chilling Richmond murder. The body found buried in a shallow grave is believed to be 34-year-old Laureline Garcia-Bertaux. Formal family ID is still pending, but officers are confident it’s her.
French Woman Living in Kew Found Dead
Laureline, a French national, had been living in the UK for years. Since April 2018, she called Darell Road, Kew home. She vanished after failing to show up for work on Tuesday, 5 March.
The grim discovery came late on Wednesday, 6 March, when officers uncovered her body buried at her own address. Her next of kin have been informed.
Cause of Death: Neck Compression
A post-mortem at Uxbridge Mortuary on 9 March revealed the cause of death is consistent with neck compression, with toxicology tests still pending. A forensic crime scene remains active at the property.
Police Appeal for Info on Laureline’s Last Movements
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding said: “This remains a live investigation. We are following a number of enquiries. I urge anyone who had contact with Laureline or saw her between Saturday 2 March and Wednesday 6 March to come forward. This includes phone calls, texts, WhatsApp, or any social media platforms.”
“Laureline was well-known locally for walking her two dogs daily,” Harding added. “Please help us bring justice.”
Chief Superintendent Sally Benatar added: “My thoughts are with Laureline’s family and friends. We understand how this tragic event has shaken the Kew community.”
“Local officers are supporting our specialist colleagues to crack this case and find the person responsible.”
How to Help Police
- If you have any information, call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 4439/05MAR.
- Contact the investigation team directly on 020 8721 4205, quoting Operation Ramah.
- To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
