Detectives investigating the murder of Maria Jane Rawlings have made an arrest.
A 20-year-old man was arrested on Sunday, May 9th on suspicion of murder.
He was taken to an east London police station where he remains in custody and Maria’s family have been informed.
Police were called at 2pm on Tuesday, May 4th after her body was found in Little Heath, Romford, by a man out walking his dog.
A post-mortem examination at Walthamstow Mortuary on Wednesday, May 5th, gave a preliminary cause for Maria’s death as neck compression and possible blunt force head trauma.
Detective Chief Inspector David Hillier, who is leading the murder investigation, said: “My thoughts remain with Maria’s family at this incredibly difficult time.
“I continue to appeal for anyone with information to contact police via the incident room on 020 8345 3865; via 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD3551/4May.”
He added that additional officers will remain in the local area to provide reassurance to the community.
Police had released bus CCTV of a man that they wanted to identify in relation to the murder of Maria, 45.
DCI David Hillier had asked for help from the public to identify a man shown travelling on a 364 bus towards Dagenham at approximately 12.16am on May 4th in the video.
The Mail Online had also obtained security camera footage which captured the final moments of mother-of-two Ms Rawlings before she was bludgeoned and strangled to death.
The footage shows the moment Ms Rawlings was grabbed off the street by her suspected killer and forced towards the bush where she was later found dead.
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