Body Found in Van in Leicester Triggers London Murder Probe

A man's body discovered in a Ford Transit parked in Leicester has led police to a crime scene in Hounslow, London. A 39-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Body Found in Van in Leicester Triggers London Murder Probe

Murder inquiry launched after body found in Leicester van linked to London address

A man's body discovered inside a parked van in Leicester has triggered a murder investigation more than 100 miles away in London, The Independent reports.

Leicestershire Police responded at around 5.30pm on Wednesday after a member of the public raised concerns about a white Ford Transit — registration BF18 VNV — parked off Garden Street in the city. Officers forced entry and found the body of an unidentified man inside.

A check of the vehicle's registration revealed it was linked to an address in south-west London. Leicestershire Police subsequently passed the investigation to the Metropolitan Police on Saturday.

The Met has since established a crime scene at a house in Sutton Dene, east Hounslow. On Friday, officers arrested a 39-year-old woman in Hounslow on suspicion of murder. She remains in custody and is being questioned by detectives.

The identity of the man has not yet been established. His next of kin will be notified once he has been formally identified.

Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, leading the investigation for the Met, thanked Leicestershire Police for their early work on the case.

"I'd like to thank Leicestershire Police for their initial enquiries, which led to a swift arrest," Gammampila said. "As we piece together the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident, we urge the public to come forward with any information, particularly if you recognise the van, or think you may have captured it on a doorbell or dashcam footage travelling to Leicester in the lead up to Wednesday, 27 May."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting reference 9873/28MAY. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via the police's online portal.

Source: The Independent