Body is found in search for woman, 46, who disappeared in Ilford as man appears in court charged with her murder
A body has been found by police probing the disappearance of a Colombian woman after she left her east London home, as a man appeared in court today charged with her murder.
Yajaira Castro Mendez, 46, was reported missing to the Metropolitan Police on May 31 having left her home in Ilford on the morning of May 29.
Her family has been told about the discovery of the body, which was found during searches in Hampshire's Bolderwood area on Saturday, but formal identification has yet to be made.
Detective Inspector Jay Gregory, who is leading the investigation, said: 'This is a very sad development in the investigation and our thoughts are very much with Yajaira's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.
'We continue to appeal to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to please come forward.'
A post-mortem examination has yet to take place.
The police said a man who was known to Ms Castro Mendez appeared in court on Friday charged with her murder and was remanded into custody.
Her disappearance was initially treated as a missing person investigation led by local officers.
The investigation was then transferred to the Met's Specialist Crime Command on June 5, after a range of extensive further inquiries suggested she had come to harm.
Police were at a scene in Gray's Inn Road, Camden, on Friday as part of their investigation.
Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart, who leads policing in Camden said in a statement yesterday that the investigation is ongoing.
He said: 'Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances and there are crime scenes in place across Camden and Lambeth.
'We thank the community for their patience while we carry out our enquiries and ask that any one with information please comes forward.'
Anyone with information relating to Ms Mendez's disappearance has been urged to contact the police via 101 or @MetCC quoting CAD 3020/06JUN25.
Alternatively you can remain anonymous by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visiting Crimestoppers-uk.org.
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