First Pictures Of Canal Death Woman Marta Ligman And Man Charged With Her Murder

First Pictures Of Canal Death Woman And Man Charged With Her Murder

These are the first pictures of the 23-year-old woman found stuffed in a suitcase and dumped in the Grand Union Canal in west London, and the man, believed to be her boyfriend, charged with her murder.

The woman, who police have now identified as Marta Ligman, was found in the luggage discarded in Maida Vale.

Detectives arrested three men on suspicion of murder on Monday and this morning Thomasz Kocik, 38, was charged.

Although formal identification has not taken place, Scotland Yard is satisfied that the dead woman is Ms Ligman.

Thomasz Kocik, left, has been charged with the murder of Polish national Marta Ligman, right

Ms Ligman, a Polish national, lived in Buckingham Road, Brent. Her body was recovered from the canal on Sunday.

Mr Kocik, who is also from Buckingham Road, Brent, was remanded in custody at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court this morning.

He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday.

The body of Marta Ligman, 23, was found in the Grand Union Canal on Sunday

Scotland Yard only confirmed the three men's arrests yesterday, due to "strong operational reasons". The other two men arrested, aged 34 and 30, have both been released on bail.

Ms Ligman's next of kin have been informed of her death.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Ashwin, who is leading the investigation, said he believed the body was placed in the canal at some point in the last two weeks.

The Metropolitan Police said inquiries are continuing and is asking that anyone with information contacts officers.

Detectives believe the body was placed in the water as some point in the past two weeks

DCI Ashwin said: "I would like to ask for the help of all those people who use, or live on, the Grand Union Canal.

"We now believe that the body, placed in a black suitcase, was placed in the Grand Union Canal at some point in the last two weeks.

"Whilst the body was recovered near to Little Venice it is highly likely that she entered the water further along the canal.

Police at the scene by the Grand Union Canal in west London where a body was found in a suitcase on Sunday afternoon

"Did you see or hear anything suspicious or see a black suitcase in the canal?"

The Metropolitan Police marine policing unit and London Fire Brigade helped recover the suitcase after officers were called to the canal on Sunday by a member of the public.

Sections of the waterfront were sealed off on Monday as forensic teams searched the area, known as Little Venice, and detectives conducted door-to-door enquiries.

Close

What's Hot