Body discovered in search for missing beautician as murder suspect found dead in cell

Detectives believe that Gabriela Kosilko and the man arrested on suspicion of her murder were known to each other

Gabriela Kosilko went missing at the end of August (Leicestershire Police)

Police searching for a beautician have discovered a body in woodland, as a man arrested in connection with her disappearance was found dead in his cell.

Gabriela Kosilko, 26, was reported missing on Friday after working a shift in Leicester.

Leicestershire Police said a body has been found around the Groby Pool area on Wednesday afternoon and while formal identification is yet to be completed, it is believed to be that of Ms Kosilko.

A 30-year-old man, who was initially arrested on suspicion of kidnap and then on suspicion of murder, has now died.

While being held in police custody, the man was found unresponsive in his cell on Wednesday morning. Custody officers attempted to revive the murder suspect before he was pronounced dead.

Given the man died in police custody, an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been launched.

Detectives believe that Ms Kosilko and the man were known to each other.

DCI Mark Sinski from East Midlands Special Operations Unit Murder Investigation Team, said: “Our enquiries into the circumstances surrounding Gabriela’s death continue and anyone who may have any information is asked to get in touch.”

Gabriela was last seen buying some food and drinks at a shop in Fosse Road North at around 11.30pm on Thursday, 31 August.

Her red Audi A1 was found empty and parked to the side of a country road.

Ms Kosilko was declared missing on Friday (Supplied)

Polish food vendor Michal Kasprzycki, 33, told the Independent she had split up with her boyfriend who used to visit his food truck with her.

Mr Kasprzycki said he had last seen her two weeks ago and that she ordered her favourite chicken tortilla wrap and posed for pictures for him.

“She seemed so well,” he said. “She had split with her boyfriend sometime ago and seriously she looked so happy.

“We chatted for about ten minutes and it all looked great for her. She can never stop smiling and joking. She’s very chatty to us and is our best customer.”

Police said they have called off the search and removed any traffic restrictions.

A spokesman for the IOPC confirmed they launched an investigation just two hours after the death in custody.

He said: “We have started an independent investigation following the death yesterday of a man who was in police custody in Leicester.

“We understand the man, believed to be aged 30, was initially arrested by Leicestershire Police on Monday on suspicion of kidnap and taken to Keyham Lane police station.

“We have been told that at around 10am yesterday the man was found unresponsive in his cell and death was pronounced there a short time later.

“After we were notified by Leicestershire Police we sent investigators to the police station and the police post incident procedure to begin gathering evidence including custody footage and some initial accounts from officers and staff.”

Anyone who can assist with enquiries is asked to contact 101, quoting incident 484 of 1 September.