Woman arrested as Met Police take over murder probe after body found in van

The Metropolitan Police have taken over an investigation into the murder of a man whose body was found in a van in Leicester on Wednesday.

A 39-year-old woman was arrested in Hounslow, London, on Friday on suspicion of murder after the address of the van's keeper was identified.

Following the arrest, and as a result of other enquiries, the Metropolitan Police took over the case on Saturday 30 May and established a crime scene at a house in Sutton Dene, Hounslow.

Leicestershire Police were originally called to a car park in Garden Street, Leicester, just after 5.30pm on Wednesday, 27 May, by a member of the public reporting concern about the condition of a white Ford Transit.

When officers forced entry to the van, the body of a man was found inside. Police are now trying to locate the man's next of kin.

An investigation to establish the circumstances that led to the man's death is still ongoing.

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Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, leading the investigation, said: "I'd like to thank Leicestershire Police for their initial enquiries, which led to a swift arrest.

"As we piece together the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident, we urge the public to come forward with any information, particularly if you recognise the van, or think you may have captured it on a doorbell or dashcam footage travelling to Leicester in the lead up to Wednesday."

(c) Sky News 2026: Woman arrested as Met Police take over murder probe after body found in van