A body found in a lock-up garage in New Malden, south west London, has been formally identified as missing oil executive Carole Waugh, Scotland Yard have said.
A post-mortem examination found the cause of Miss Waugh's death was a single stab wound.
The body found in a car in southwest London had been there since April, when the missing businesswoman was last seen.
The body was discovered in a blue Volkswagen Golf in a lock-up garage in Lime Court, New Malden, at 7pm on Thursday.
Sky sources said the body was in the boot of the vehicle.
Ms Waugh, 50, an oil executive originally from Durham, has not been seen since mid-April.
Earlier this week, a 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of kidnap and conspiracy to defraud and subsequently on suspicion of murder. The suspect is in custody at a police station in south London.
Police are appealing for information about the car the body was found in.
Detective Chief Inspector John McFarlane 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."
The lock-up is in a row of garages behind two detached 1930s houses in a quiet street. The driveway leading to the garages was cordoned off this morning and a police community support officer stood guard.
A white and blue forensic tent has been erected outside one of the garages at the end of the row.
One resident, whose property overlooks the garages, told Sky News the lock-up may not be owned by locals. "No one ever seems to know who owns lock-ups like this," she said. "Sometimes they're long-term lets and sometimes they're short-term."
She said she was shocked that a body had been found in the area.
"It's a sleepy suburb; no one expects something like this to be going on almost outside their back garden ... it's a bit scary really."
Matt Elcox, 17, who lives in a house backing on to the area, said: "I was woken by the sound of police cars coming and going late on Thursday night.
"I looked out of the window but thought it was just a stolen car or something like that, so went back to bed.
"It is surprising because you don't see much activity around the garages and certainly nothing suspicious."
One man, who has worked nearby for several years, said the garages were mainly used for storage by builders.
He said: "There have been some small problems with stolen goods being stored but certainly no major crime."
Ms Waugh, of Harrowby Street, central London, was reported missing by her family on May 7 and had never gone missing before.
The last believed sighting of her was in central London three days earlier.
Concerns for Ms Waugh's safety grew after a fraudster tried to sell her central London flat in June by posing as her brother. To date, 10 people have been arrested in connection with the investigation.
Detectives said Ms Waugh, who previously lived in Libya, met men through a variety of internet sites, including dating websites.
Police were also investigating the possibility that she might have been an escort.
:: Anyone who can assist should call the incident room on 020 8721 4205 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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