Carole Waugh case: Body found in London lock-up garage

The body of a woman has been found in a lock-up garage in London by police investigating the case of missing oil executive Carole Waugh.

The body was found in a blue VW Golf at a lock-up garage at Lime Court in New Malden, south-west London, on Thursday at 19:00 BST, Scotland Yard said.

Miss Waugh, 50, of Harrowby Street, Marylebone, was last seen on 16 April.

Police began a murder inquiry on Wednesday and a 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder.

He was detained at Luton airport on Tuesday on suspicion of kidnap and conspiracy to defraud, but subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder.

A warrant to detain him further was granted at Croydon Magistrates' Court on Thursday, police said.

In total 10 people have been arrested over Miss Waugh's disappearance.

The body is yet to be formally identified and a post-mortem examination will take place later.

The lock-up, where the body was found, is in a row of garages behind two detached 1930s-built houses in Kingston.

There is a police cordon in place on the driveway leading to the garages and a tent has been put up close to one of the garages.

Det Ch Insp John McFarlane, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "The vehicle is a blue VW Golf, registration number W466 NHL.

"We need to hear from anyone with information on the car, particularly since April this year.

"Anyone who can assist us on where it has been since then, or can advise on anyone with a connection to it, should come forward."

Matt Elcox, 17, who lives in nearby Lime Grove, said: "I was woken by the sound of police cars coming and going late last night.

"It is surprising because you don't see much activity around the garages and certainly nothing suspicious."

A number of personal possessions, including Cartier jewellery, have gone missing from Miss Waugh's flat in central London and "significant plundering of her estate has taken place", police said.

A 40-year-old man has been charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation arising from transactions associated with Miss Waugh's identity.

The executive, who worked for Veba and MSl old companies, was reported missing by her family on 4 May.