A WOMAN missing from her home in East London for three weeks has been found dead in the River Lea. Police are appealing for information about the circumstances of the death of 20-year-old Musonda Chimfwenbe, who would have been 21 later this month

By Mike Brooke

A WOMAN missing from her home in East London for three weeks has been found dead in the River Lea.

Police are appealing for information about the circumstances of the death of 20-year-old Musonda Chimfwenbe, who would have been 21 later this month.

Her body was discovered in the river just north of the A11 Bow Flyover yesterday morning (Tuesday).

She was last seen on December 10 at her home at Roach Road in Bow.

Officers are appealing to anyone who may have seen her handbag on the towpath on December 12 to contact them.

Musonda had stayed with friends in Clapton and police believe she intended returning home on December 12. Inquiries suggest Musonda took a 488 bus to Bromley-by-Bow that day and may have been in the area around 9.10pm.

Police now believe Musonda walked down the towpath which runs alongside the Lea just north of the DLR bridge. Her death is being treated as unexplained.

A witness reported seeing Musonda’s brown faux leather handbag on the towpath under the bridge on December 13.

Det Ins Stewart Garrick said: “The handbag would have been noticeable. The towpath is regularly used by joggers and the public.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call the incident room at Limehouse police station on 020-7275 4549, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.