East London woman's body found in River Lea

Detectives in east London have appealed for joggers to help them piece together a woman's last movements after her body was found in a river.

Relatives called police after Musonda Chimfwenbe, 20, did not return to her home in Bow last month.

Her body was found in the River Lea, a short distance north of the Bow Flyover, on Tuesday morning.

Musonda had stayed with friends in Clapton and police believe she intended returning home on December 12. Inquiries suggest Musonda took a 488 bus to Bromley-by-Bow that day and may have been in the area around 9.10pm.

Police now believe Musonda walked down the towpath which runs alongside the Lea just north of the DLR bridge.

A witness reported seeing Musonda’s brown faux leather handbag on the towpath under the bridge on December 13.

Detective Inspector Stewart Garrick of Tower Hamlets CID said: “The handbag would have been noticeable. The towpath is regularly used by joggers and the public.”

Investigators have arrested a 32-year-old man suspected of stealing Miss Chimfwenbe's mobile phone from the bag. They do not know how she came to be in the river and whether anyone else was involved.

Det Ins Garrick said the death is being treated as "unexplained". A post-mortem examination will take place tomorrow.

"The last reported sighting at approx 8.30am on December 13 stated the bag was neatly placed on the path, underneath the DLR bridge. If you saw this bag or saw anything which may help determine how Musonda ended up in the river, please contact the incident room."

Anyone who may be able to assist the inquiry is urged to contact the incident room at Limehouse Police Station on 020 7275 4549 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111