Woman, 36, arrested for murder after pensioner's torso discovered in woods

A 36-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the torso of a pensioner was found 200 miles from her home.

Mee Chong, 67, was found dead in woods in Salcombe, Devon, on 27 June, two weeks after going missing from her home in Wembley, north west London.

Police confirmed a woman was arrested at a residential address in Kilburn, north west London on Tuesday night on suspicion of murder.

She remains in custody at a north London police station.

Mee - known to friends as 'Debbie' - had been reported missing from her home on 11 June.

Her death was initially treated as unexplained with enquiries led by Devon and Cornwall Police.

A post-mortem took place at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on 28 June, but the cause of death has not yet been ascertained.

Further enquiries led to a murder investigation being launched and an incident room being set up by the Met Police’s Specialist Crime Command.

A crime scene remains in place at the address in South Devon.

Police say searches are likely to continue for several days.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood, who is leading the murder investigation, said: “The discovery of Mee’s body is a tragic development and my thoughts are with her family and friends.

“At this stage, we are working on establishing the full circumstances surrounding Mee’s death and in particular her movements.

"I would ask anyone who saw her between Thursday June 10 and Sunday June 27 either in London or Devon, who has not yet spoken to police, to please come forward."

He added: “It is absolutely vital that anyone who may have information about Mee’s movements over this period share what they know to help us fully understand what happened to her.”

Mee was originally from Malaysia but had been living in Wembley for over 30 years.

Her family has been updated about this development and are being supported by specially trained officers.

The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards were informed following the discovery of Mee’s body.

A referral has also been made to the IOPC.