Police have named the woman found dead in a car boot in east London and said they believe she was attacked by someone she knew.

A murder investigation was launched by Northamptonshire police after the body of 24-year-old Harshita Brella was found inside the boot of a vehicle on Bristane Road, Ilford, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Detective Ch Insp Johnny Campbell from the East Midlands special operations major crime unit said detectives from his unit and Northamptonshire police were “working around the clock” to establish the circumstances of Brella’s death, including the exact location and timeframe in which it took place.

He added: “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 have also made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of previous contact between the force and Brella, who lived in Skegness Walk, Corby.

They gave no further details about the previous contact.

On Saturday morning, Supt Steve Freeman of Northamptonshire police said police were called on Wednesday by a member of the public concerned about the woman’s welfare, adding: “Fast-track inquiries were made which sadly led to the discovery of a woman’s body inside the boot of a vehicle in the Ilford area of London. We are treating the death as suspicious and a murder investigation has been launched.”

At the time, he said that although police believed it was a “targeted incident” and there was no wider risk to members of the public, extra patrols would be taking place in Corby in the coming days for reassurance purposes.

Campbell expressed his heartfelt condolences to “everyone who loved Harshita Brella”, adding: “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.”

Anyone who may have information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 24000678713 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

They can also submit information online at mipp.police.uk.