Searchers for missing 46-year-old East London woman find body

Metropolitan detectives searching for a missing 46-year-old Colombian woman living in London have discovered a body.

The East London resident, Yajaira Castro Mendez, went missing from Ilford on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Though a formal identification has yet to take place the family of Yajaira Castro Mendez has been informed of the latest development.

After Mendez went missing, extensive murder investigation was launched.

According to Met Police, since that time detectives have been carrying out urgent enquiries to find Ms Mendez’s body and during searches in the Bolderwood area of Hampshire on Saturday, 7 June they found a body. A post mortem is yet to take place.

Detective Inspector Jay Gregory, who is leading the investigation, said: “This is a very sad development in the investigation and our thoughts are very much with Yajaira’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. We continue to appeal to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to please come forward.”

On Friday, June 6 a man known to Ms Mendez appeared in court charged with her murder and was remanded into custody.