A31 lanes reopen after murder investigation

A stretch of the A31 through the New Forest has reopened after police continued a murder investigation following the discovery of a missing woman's body.

Yajaira Castro Mendez, 46, disappeared having left her home in Ilford on 29 May. She was reported missing to the Metropolitan Police on 31 May.

Road closures were in place between the M27 and the A338 after a body, believed to be hers, was found in the Bolderwood area on Saturday. The road has since fully reopened.

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

National Highways said the police operation had concluded shortly and delays on the A31 should ease.

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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