Police investigating the discovery of a woman’s body in a west London river hope a post-mortem on Thursday will give her family “answers”.
Officers were called to woodland off Staines Road, Hounslow at roughly 11.30pm on Tuesday.
The 61-year-old from Feltham was recovered from the water at Donkey Wood and pronounced dead at the scene.
Although she has not been formally identified, the Metropolitan Police are confident they know who she is.
Her family has been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
The death is being treated as “unexplained” and a crime scene remains in place.
Detectives say the woman’s silver Ford Fiesta was found nearby and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
It comes as the force continues to search for the killers of a 16-year-old schoolboy ambushed by a balaclava-clad knife gang on hire bikes in Clerkenwell, north London on Tuesday night.
Earlier the same day, Andre Foster, 44, who was also known as Andre Jacks, was stabbed to death at a flat on Mowbray Road, Kilburn.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Thrower, investigating the woman’s death, said: “We know we have a family who are grieving and we will do all we can to support them and answer their questions.
“We are working hard to narrow down the relevant times, but our enquiries suggest that the relevant dates are on Sunday, December 18 or Monday, December 19.
“This lady’s car, a silver Ford Fiesta, was later found parked in Roman Close, Feltham. This road is close to Donkey Wood, just off Staines Road near Baber Bridge. I am asking anyone who saw this car arrive or was in the area of Donkey Wood, particularly near the river Crane, to contact police.
“It does not matter if you don’t think you heard or saw anything relevant, you may still have vital information, so please do contact us. If you don’t want to speak to police you can contact Crimestoppers and they will never ask for your name, but however you choose to make contact please do, we need your help.”
Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD 2602/20DEC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
