Overview

• Yajaira Castro Mendez, 46, left her Ilford home on May 29 and was reported missing on May 31 before detectives concluded she had come to harm.
• Juan Toledo, 51, appeared at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on June 6 charged with her murder and was remanded in custody.
• The Metropolitan Police moved the case to its Specialist Crime Command on June 5 after extensive inquiries suggested Castro Mendez had been harmed.
• Officers have set up crime scenes in Camden and Lambeth to carry out forensic examinations and gather evidence.
• Detectives are urging anyone with information to contact the Metropolitan Police via 101 or Crimestoppers quoting CAD 3020/06JUN25.