MUTILATION MURDER: HUSBAND QUIZZED

Mother-of-two Geeta Aulakh, 28, was found fatally injured by a passer-by in Greenford, north-west London.

Investigators believe she was attacked shortly after leaving work at Sunrise Radio to pick up her two young children on Monday evening.

She was found a short distance from the front door of her childminder who looked after the boys, aged eight and nine. Witnesses said she had serious head injuries and one of her hands had been cut off. She was taken to Charing Cross Hospital, but was pronounced dead just over four hours later.

It is understood that her husband, from whom she is separated, was among six men arrested on Monday.

Colleagues at the Southall community radio station spoke of their shock. News producer Seema Sidha, 31, described Mrs Aulakh as a "very happy person" who worked as a receptionist for the station.

Ms Sidha told the Daily Mail: "That was her normal routine. She would drop her kids off in the morning and pick them up after work. She was a very helpful, very happy person, always smiling. All of us are very confused and very surprised to hear the news of what happened.

"Why someone would do this to her I have no idea. It is something you never expect to report about your colleague. It is an absolute shock for everyone."

One line of inquiry is that Mrs Aulakh was attacked elsewhere and dumped on the pavement in Braund Avenue at its junction with Verulam Road.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Chalmers, who is leading the inquiry, appealed for help from the public.