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A31 lane closure as murder investigation continues

Metropolitan Police A woman with dark straight hair, black framed glasses and silver earrings Metropolitan Police
Yajaira Castro Mendez's body was found in the Bolderwood area on Saturday after she went missing in May

A stretch of the A31 through the New Forest is still closed as police continue a murder investigation following the discovery of the body of a missing 46-year-old woman.

Yajaira Castro Mendez disappeared having left her home in Ilford on 29 May. She was reported missing to the Metropolitan Police on 31 May.

Road closures have been in place since a body, believed to be hers, was found in the Bolderwood area on Saturday - one lane is shut westbound between the M27 and the A338.

On Friday, Juan Toledo, 51, from south-east London, appeared at Barkingside Magistrates' Court charged with her murder and was remanded in custody.

Queues of cars in two lanes driving over a bridge - a large areas of forest can be seen in the distance
Closures have been in place on the A31 while police investigations continue

The Met said the family of Ms Castro Mendez had been told about the discovery of the body, found during searches by officers in the forest on Saturday.

Formal identification and a post-mortem examination have not yet taken place.

Anyone with information about Ms Castro Mendez's disappearance is urged to contact police.

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