Torch-lit vigil held for murder victim Harshita

Harshita Brella is believed to have been killed by her husband, who has yet to be found

A torch-lit walk and vigil has been held to commemorate a 24-year-old woman who police believe was murdered by her husband.

Harshita Brella is believed to have been killed by her husband in Corby, Northamptonshire, before her body was found dumped in a car in east London.

A large crowd turned out for the walk from Corby Boating Lake to Corby Cube on Friday night.

"Serious crime like this in Corby is very, very rare, so this has hit us hard," said Lou Cory, who organised the vigil.

"We've always been a community with a spirit.

"We definitely want this to send a message to [Harshita's family] to say that we are also grieving for her - and for their loss - and we feel for them at this time, when they are so far away."

Lou Cory organised the vigil to remember Harshita Brella

A local arts group read a poem dedicated to Ms Brella and a representative from a Northampton domestic abuse service spoke to the crowd.

The vigil took place next to the Corby Cube in Northampton

Surinder Bhoday, 74, has lived in Corby for 51 years.

"[Harshita] was a resident here and it is only a small town, so we would like to pay our respects to her," he explained.

"It is so sad that is it happening on the doorstep."

Surinder Bhoday was one of the crowd at the torch-lit walk and vigil

Earlier on Friday, Northamptonshire Police announced that Ms Brella's body would be repatriated to India.

The suspect Pankaj Lamba, 23, is believed to have fled the country.

He was already arrested on 3 September following a report of domestic abuse from Ms Brella, and she was made the subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

Northamptonshire Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because of its previous contact with her.