Body of woman ‘found stuffed into suitcase’ in London hostel

A resident of the hostel, who gave his name as Martin, said the woman had been a "very good person".

A gym owner has been raided by police in London after refusing to shut its doors for England’s second lockdown (file photo of Met Police officers) (PA)

The body of a woman has been found in a suitcase at a hostel in west London, according to residents.

The Metropolitan Police were called to the Pay and Sleep hostel in The Crescent, Southall, shortly before 3pm on Friday after a body was found.

The Met confirm a body has been found and said the death is being treated as unexplained. Inquiries to identify the woman are ongoing.

No arrests have yet been made.

A resident of the hostel, who gave his name as Martin, said the woman had been a "very good person".

"I know it was found in a suitcase, the body," he said.

"She was my good friend."

Martin said he had known the woman for "about five years" when he lived in Acton.

"We had similar friends. Nice girl, very nice and friendly," he said. "A very good person."

Another resident, Lisa, speculated that the woman's boyfriend had gone missing following the incident.

"She lived in the floor up at the top. We were told by one of the other Polish guys that she'd gone to Victoria coach station," she said.

"No one could get hold of her but now we know why.

"She was a lovely girl, she kept herself to herself."

A Met spokesman declined to comment on the circumstances. Officers remain at the scene.