Det Ch Insp Johnny Campbell, of the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit, said: “We suspect Harshita’s body had been placed in the boot of the vehicle by Lamba before leaving Corby.
“Lamba then abandoned the vehicle in Brisbane Road, Ilford, and made his getaway.”
A police spokesman confirmed Ms Brella had previously been the victim of domestic violence and was made subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) at Northampton Magistrates’ Court in September.
Northamptonshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of previous contact with Ms Brella.
Sonia Dabas, Ms Brella’s sister, said the family “thought something was wrong” by 13 November after her phone was off for two days.
A neighbour said she heard two blistering rows, involving one in which a woman “sounded scared”, days before Ms Brella’s body was found.
