Grand Union Canal suitcase body: Three men arrested in murder investigation

The body of a woman was found in a suitcase in north-west London on Sunday

The Grand Union Canal in London, where police have recovered a body (Getty Images)

Police carrying out a murder investigation after a woman’s body was found in a suitcase in London’s Grand Union Canal, have arrested three men.

The men aged 30, 34, and 38, were arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday at separate homes in north-west London, a day after the body was discovered.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard explained “strong operational reasons” meant that the arrests were only publicly confirmed today.

Officers are not in a position to confirm how long the body was in the canal near Maida Vale, he added.

Further tests on the body are to be carried out, after a post-mortem at Westminster Mortuary on Monday was inconclusive.

Whilst formal identification has yet to take place, police officers have said they are certain that they know the identity of the woman. However, they have not yet spoken to her next of kin.

Police are now urging those who have any information about the woman’s death to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Ashwin, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, who is leading the investigation said police believe the body was placed in the Grand Union Canal inside a black suitcase "at some point in the last two weeks."

"Whilst the body was recovered near to Little Venice it is highly likely that she entered the water further along the canal.

He went on to asked the public: "Did you see or hear anything suspicious or see a black suitcase in the canal?"

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8785 8244 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Additional reporting by PA