A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, while two men, aged 21 and 22, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, the Metropolitan Police said on Sunday.
Detectives opened a murder investigation after the death of the woman in Chadwell Heath early on Saturday morning.
Police and the London Ambulance Service were called to reports that a woman had been assaulted in Chadwell Heath Lane at around 5.30am.
“Despite the best efforts of emergency services, she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene,” the force said in a statement.
She has not been formally identified, but officers believe the victim was in her 20s.
The Metropolitan Police said their early enquiries suggested it was an isolated incident in which those involved knew each other.
The woman’s family have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained family liaison officers.
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A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course.
Appealing for the public’s help, Detective Superintendent Brian Hobbs said: “Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family and friends in light of this truly tragic event.
“Although we have now made arrests, local residents will continue to see an increased number of officers in and around the area while our investigative work is carried out.”
