Woman, 24, found murdered in boot of car as cops confirm protective domestic violence court order 2 months before death

A WOMAN found dead in a car boot was made the subject of a domestic violence protection order weeks before her death.

Harshita Brella's body was discovered inside the vehicle in Ilford, East London, in the early hours of Thursday.

Cops continue to guard outside the 24-year-old's home, nearly 100 miles away in Corby, Northamptonshire.

Detectives believe she was "attacked by someone known to her".

Northamptonshire Police have confirmed to The Sun a DVPO was put in place for 28 days from September 3.

The order - in accordance with section 27 of the Crime and Security Act 2010 - states the defendant was banned from contacting Harshita or visiting her workplace.

He was prevented from molesting her, from threatening violence, or intimidating, harassing or 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.

No formal charges against the same man have since been recorded by the court, reports Northamptonshire Telegraph.

DISCOVERY

Harshita's body was found on Brisbane Road, Ilford, after Northamptonshire Police received a call on November 13 with concerns for Harshita's welfare.

Officers were deployed to her home address on Sturton Walk, Corby, and after getting no answer launched a missing person investigation.

A forensic postmortem examination, which took place at Leicester Royal Infirmary on November 15, confirmed that Harshita had been murdered.

A murder probe was launched and police said they think Harshita may have been the victim of a "targeted incident".

No arrests have yet been made.

An Ilford resident told The Sun today: "We’re used to it because this kind of stuff happens all the time around here.

"There have been a few murders in this area and there are crimes happening constantly.

"I didn’t hear anything.

"I just saw all the police tape and the tent when I went out in the morning."

They added: “I saw some broken glass on the ground."

MailOnline: "Officers swarmed all over the street and were here for hours. It looked incredibly serious.

"They seemed to be focusing on a car. It's horrific. It's quite an unsafe area. That poor woman must have gone through hell."

They added: "There was screaming on the street earlier in the week. It's rough around here so I didn't bat an eye lid. There's always drug dealing and attacks and all sorts."

'ABSOLUTELY TRAGIC'

Senior Investigating Officer, DOI Johnny Campbell from the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit (EMSOU), said on Saturday evening: "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."

He continued: "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."

Northamptonshire Police said officers are satisfied there is no wider risk to the public.

The force added extra patrols will be taking place in Corby in the coming days.

Anyone who has any information that could help detectives bring Harshita's killer to justice is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 24000678713.

Northamptonshire Police has also made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to previous contact between the Force and the victim.