Murder victim in flat identified

Police investigating the murder of a woman found at a flat in Essex are trying to establish when she died.

Ella Chimweta, 32, was found in Weetmans Drive, Colchester, after a 12-year-old girl who may have spent a week with the body, alerted neighbours.

Ms Chimweta was a nurse at Colchester Hospital and last worked a shift on 9 July, finishing at 1430 BST.

Police are trying to trace Daniel Tambengwa, who lived at the flat, and was last seen there on 9 July.

A post-mortem examination showed Ms Chimweta had died from asphyxiation.

Search for car

Essex Police said she had arranged to visit a friend elsewhere in the hospital but they do not know whether she did so.

Mr Tambengwa, 30, is thought to have stayed at a bed and breakfast or hotel in the area on 9 July.

Police are working on the possibility that he may have left the UK but his car will still be in this country.

It is described as a silvery-blue Ford Mondeo, registration number R738 VOC.

Mr Tambengwa is described as black, stocky, with short hair and may possibly have facial hair.

Essex Police appealed for anyone who can help the inquiry to contact detectives.