Police hunt man over Indian-origin woman's death

Police have launched a hunt for a man who was believed to be in contact with an Indian-origin woman found dead in her London flat earlier this week, a media report said.

Usha Patel, 44, was on Thursday found dead in her flat in London's Cricklewood area where she used to live with her young autistic son, the Daily Mail reported on Friday.

Police said she had been talking online to Miles Donnelly, 34, also known as Miles Ryan, and had arranged to meet him before her death.

"We are asking anyone who may have seen him not to approach him but to call 999 instead," a Scotland Yard spokesperson was quoted as saying.

A friend of the single mother said she had been "happy" after meeting people online and had fallen in love with someone.

"As part of these enquiries I am very keen to speak to Miles Donnelly, aka Miles Ryan, as he may have information which could assist me," Detective Chief Inspector Matt Bonner said.

Police were called to Patel's flat when a neighbour reported her door slightly ajar. Her five-year-old son was found unharmed in the flat.

A post-mortem report to establish the cause of the Indian-origin woman's death was awaited.