A murder hunt was launched today after the body of a young woman was found stuffed in a suitcase in a London park.
The grim discovery was made yesterday afternoon in a park and sports field near Thornfield Avenue in Mill Hill East.
Scotland Yard refused to give details of the find except to say the woman was an adult.
A spokesman refused to say if the body was naked or intact when found.
The area around the popular park and sports field was cordoned off today as forensic officers searched for clues.
The woman is believed to be in her 20s and her identity is thought to be known to police.
Police said there had been no arrests.
The find was made yesterday at around 5pm, but it is not known how long it had been there.
The park is used by dog walkers and family. There is a cricket pitch and a brook running thought it.
Local resident Richard Heraty, 44, said he had reported seeing something that could have been a body under a blue cover. The diving instructor said: “There was like a blue thing on the edge of the cricket field in the bushes. It was a tarpaulin with clothes or something I saw it on Saturday.
“I was with my kids so I did not stop but on hearing what happened I reported it to the police today.
“What has happened here is very distressing for us.”
Mr Heraty said: “It is a lovely spot I take my kids there all the time.”
A police helicopter was buzzing above the crime scene this afternoon and the park is closed indefinitely.
Mother to be Joanie Adler, 30, lives on the edge of the park. She said: “This is a very sinister thing to happen on your doorstep.
“There were forensic teams working for ages and the ace was teeming with police. We are all very shocked.”
Neighbour Maggie Willmott said: “It is a terrible thing to happen. We are assuming the crime was committed elsewhere and they dragged the body here.
“I have three children and I would not let in there at night.
“Obviously it is frightening but we don’t think there is a murderer on the loose here.”
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