Body in suitcase: Man arrested on suspicion of murder as dead woman believed to be Hungarian and in her 20s

Cordon: Police at the scene near Mill Hill

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder by detectives investigating the death of a woman whose body was found in a suitcase.

The 29-year-old was held yesterday afternoon and is being questioned over the woman's death, after her body was discovered near a sports ground in Thornfield Avenue, Hendon, north London, at around 5pm on Sunday.

Police said they believe they have identified the woman as a Hungarian national in her 20s.

Next of kin have been informed, but she has not been formally identified, Scotland Yard said.

A post-mortem examination was being carried out at Finchley Mortuary, but no cause of death has been confirmed.

Earlier, police appealed for witnesses who may have seen someone moving a heavy trolley-type case in the area nearby, on or after July 18.

Thornfield Avenue, north west London

Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall said: "The homicide and serious crime command are still in the early stages of this investigation and urgently require the assistance of the public to help us establish the circumstances around the murder of this young woman.

"We are specifically appealing to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious towards the latter part of last week.

"Did you see anyone moving a heavy black trolley-type suitcase on or after July 18, especially around the Thornfield Avenue/Dollis Road entrance of the wooded area?

"We are also interested in hearing from anyone who is concerned about any young adult females who have gone missing from the immediate area recently."

Detective Chief Superintendent Adrian Usher, borough commander for Barnet, said: "The discovery of the body of a young woman hidden in a suitcase is a tragic and shocking thing to happen. I am sure local people will be feeling unsettled by this news.

"Crimes of this serious nature are incredibly rare in our borough, which may only add to local concern over what has happened. I would like to reassure the local community that we are working closely with specialist homicide teams to establish the full circumstances surrounding this murder."

Police patrols have been stepped up in the area where the body was found.

Anyone with any information can call police on 020 8785 8334, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.

Joanie Adler, 30, who lives close by said: “It’s a sinister thing to happen on your doorstep. Everyone is shocked.”
Neighbour Maggie Willmott added: “We are assuming she was killed elsewhere and the body was brought here.”

Resident Richard Heraty, 44, said he saw something that could have been a body under a blue cover in bushes on the edge of a cricket field in the park on Saturday.
He said: “I was with my children and did not look too closely but now that I’ve heard what happened I have reported it to the police.”