A woman found dead in the boot of a car was made the subject of a court order designed to protect people against domestic violence two months ago.
The body of Harshita Brella was discovered almost 100 miles away from her home in Corby, Northamptonshire, inside a vehicle in Brisbane Road, Ilford, east London, on Thursday.
It has now been reported that she was the victim of domestic violence and in September, a court order, lasting only 28 days, was put in place banning a man from visiting the 24 year-old at her workplace.
A domestic violence protection order was issued at Northampton magistrates’ court.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was prevented by the order from molesting her, threatening violence or intimidating, harassing and pestering her. He was also told not to encourage or instruct others to contact her in any way.
The order was served by Northamptonshire Police and implemented by magistrates, the Northamptonshire Telegraph reported.
No formal charges against the same man have since been recorded by the court. He was released following a hearing, but ordered to pay the full costs.
Police have said they believe Miss Brella was killed by someone who was “known to her” and there was no wider risk to the public.
A referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over prior contact with Ms Brella.
Officers were alerted to the fact Ms Brella might be in danger on Nov 13. Northamptonshire Police went to her home address in Skegness Walk in Corby, but received no answer at the door.
A missing person investigation was launched and, after enquiries were fast-tracked, her body was found in Ilford on Thursday, some 95 miles away from the multiple occupancy house she lived in.
A post mortem examination, which took place at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Friday, confirmed that she had been murdered, but no arrests have yet been made.
Murder investigation
Det Chief Insp Johnny Campbell, the senior investigating officer from East Midlands special operations major crime unit (EMSOU), said on Saturday: “First of all, I want to express my heartfelt condolences to everyone who loved Harshita Brella.
“She was a young woman in her early 20s with her whole life ahead of her and it is absolutely tragic that her life has been cut short in this way.
“Detectives from EMSOU and Northamptonshire Police are working around the clock to establish the circumstances behind her death, including the exact location and timeframe in which it took place.
“Although we believe Harshita was attacked by someone known to her, we are keeping an open mind, and would appeal to anyone who knew her to contact us with any relevant information they may have.
“If you saw anything suspicious in the past week or have any information, no matter how small, please contact us. We would always rather receive well-meaning information that turns out to be nothing as opposed to not receiving it all.”
An IOPC spokesman said: “We will be assessing the referral to decide whether or not any investigation by the IOPC is required.”
