London murder: Met Police hunt killer after woman's body found in bushes by dog walker
POLICE have launched a murder hunt after a mother-of-two was found dead in some bushes in Essex.
Met Police have launched a murder investigation after Maria Jane Rawlings, 45, was found dead by a dog walker in Essex on Tuesday May 4. The man who discovered the body was out walking his dog in Little Heath, Romford at about 2pm. Mrs Rawlings' family were "distraught" by the news, police said.
Mrs Rawlings was a mother of two daughters and lived in the Chelmsford area.
A post-mortem examination was carried at Walthamstow Mortuary on Wednesday and the pathologists said a preliminary cause of death was a neck compression and possible blunt force head trauma.
A police statement said the victim's family have been informed and were being supported by specialist officers.
They added that police will continue to examine the crime scene and will remain in the area over the coming days.
Police believe Mrs Rawlings went missing after attending King George's Hospital in Goodmayes, Ilford on Monday evening.
They said in a statement: "Maria attended King George's Hospital in Goodmayes, Ilford on the evening of Monday, 3 May.
"She then left the hospital and made her way on foot to Barley Lane in the direction of the A12.
"It is believed that whilst walking on this road, someone may have approached Maria.
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"Her body was found the next day in Little Heath, Romford."
Police said enquiries were ongoing and no arrests had yet been made.
Detective Chief Inspector David Hillier is leading the investigation and said: "My team and I are working around the clock, following a number of enquiries in our work to establish what happened to Maria.
"Her family are understandably distraught and we are doing all we can to help them as they begin to come to terms with their loss.
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"Now I am asking for the public to help us. I want to hear from anyone who knew Maria and knows about where she had been and who she had been associating with.
"Have you seen her in the area in the company of another person? Had you recently heard or seen a disturbance or struggle in the area but did not think it significant at the time?
"You might have dashcam or doorbell footage that could have captured her – please think carefully and, if you can help, contact police.”
Chief Superintendent Stephen Clayman, Basic Command Unit Commander for Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge, said: “I understand the concerns around safety that will arise from this, particularly from women, and we have increased patrols in the area from our local policing teams.
"Community safety remains a high priority and I urge anyone who has any concerns to speak to my officers when you see them or contact us.”