Iuliana Tudos: Finsbury Park victim identified as 22-year-old woman who disappeared on Christmas Eve

She is believed to have been working in a nearby pub since April

“Heartbroken” friends of a woman found murdered in a north London park have been sharing memories of her “very kind, fun, life-loving and oh so young” nature.

22-year-old Iuliana Tudos’s body was found just metres from her home after a suspected attack on Christmas Eve.

A murder investigation is underway after the body was discovered in Finsbury Park, north London, on Wednesday afternoon.

She died as a result of a stab wound to the abdomen and a head injury, a postmortem examination found.

Ms Tudos, who police said was of Russian and Greek origin, had last been seen by friends at around 8pm on 24 December when she headed for a bus home from nearby Camden, where she worked.

Friends of the barmaid, who worked at the World’s End pub near Camden High Street, launched an appeal for information about her disappearance – but she was found by a member of the public in an outbuilding in the park shortly before 4.30pm.

Senya Taylor had known Ms Tudos for about three years after meeting and sharing a love for music.

“She was so young and friendly, she could make friends with anyone she met very easily,” said Ms Taylor. “If it wasn't for her I wouldn't have met the love of my life too, which I'm forever grateful for.”

Ms Tudos, who called herself Julie, believed to have worked at the pub since April and was originally from Moscow.

The barmaid had been due to meet a friend at their home in Enfield, north-east London, where she had planned to spend Christmas Day, but she never arrived.

Police said her next of kin, who are not in the UK, have been informed.

Iuliana Tudos (Facebook)

On Thursday an area in the north-east corner of the park, close to a baseball pitch, was cordoned off as murder detectives investigated how she died.

Forensics officers marked out what appeared to be clothing scattered on the grass.

Ms Tudos’s home in nearby Upper Tollington Park was also searched by police.

Neighbour Sebastian Jonathan said: “She was a very nice person, young and gorgeous.

“I met her twice when she came over for beers when we had barbecues last summer.”

Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall, from the homicide and major crime command, said: “Iuliana’s body was discovered in an outbuilding next to a sports pitch.

“We believe that she may have been attacked on 24 December – Christmas Eve – but we want to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in that part of Finsbury Park over the Christmas period.

“We are still trying to piece together a timeline of events and are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry as regards to a motive.”

Police said no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information is asked to call the dedicated incident room on 0208 785 8244, tweet MetCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Additional reporting by PA