In a troubling incident that has stirred deep concern within the community of Corby, Northamptonshire, the police have launched a manhunt for Pankaj Lamba, the husband of a recently found deceased woman, Harshita Brella. The case has elicited feelings of sadness, disbelief, and confusion among local residents, following the gruesome discovery of Brella’s body in the boot of a car situated over 100 miles away from her home. Following the initial findings, Northamptonshire Police believe that Lamba, aged 27, is responsible for the suspected murder, which reportedly occurred earlier in October.
Harshita Brella, 24, was originally from Corby and had her body discovered in the early hours of Thursday, beneath the light cover of streets in Ilford, east London. Reports indicate that Lamba, the main suspect, may have fled the country following the incident. Concerned residents have expressed their shock over the violent turn of events, with local resident Aleksanders Nadejs sharing his bewilderment at the actions of Lamba, affirming that such violence is incomprehensible. “I don’t understand how people can do [something] like that,” Nadejs lamented, summarizing the communal sentiment.
Local shopkeeper Prashant Odedara also provided insights into the couple’s demeanor prior to the incident. He noted that Brella and Lamba were regular visitors to his convenience store but often kept to themselves. “Unlike other customers, they were very friendly. We didn’t know much about them… they were just quiet,” Odedara remarked, highlighting that their seemingly ordinary life masked deeper issues that would ultimately lead to tragedy.
The investigation gained momentum with the Northamptonshire Police making a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to previous interactions with Brella. Reports emerged detailing the existence of a domestic violence protection order against Lamba, which had reportedly been established in early September and had been in place for a duration of 28 days prior to Brella’s untimely death. This revelation has intensified scrutiny about how authorities managed their interaction with the couple against the backdrop of ongoing domestic violence concerns.
Officials established that Ms. Brella’s body was transported by Lamba to Ilford after her death, which raises critical questions about his movements and actions during this period. Initial contact regarding Ms. Brella’s welfare had prompted police involvement the day before her body was discovered, marking a fail point in the system that should have adequately responded to risks posed to her life.
A forensic post-mortem examination, which took place at Leicester Royal Infirmary, confirmed the suspicions of murder, leading to a plethora of questions regarding the relationship dynamics between Lamba and Brella. Community members are now searching for explanations about their quiet neighbors’ lives, grappling with the reality that those who seem ordinary may be harboring dark secrets.
With the inquest into Harshita Brella’s death scheduled to open shortly, residents await further developments in the case. The police have since released a custody photograph of Pankaj Lamba, urging anyone with information to come forward. As the story unfolds, the overarching narrative remains one of tragedy—substantial loss against a backdrop of silence that many in the community are now questioning. This deeply distressing event underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and protection on domestic violence issues, which can often spiral into fatal outcomes if unnoticed or inadequately addressed.
