Body Confirmed as Missing Ilford Woman in Hampshire Murder Case

Police have confirmed that the body found in the Bolderwood area of Hampshire is that of Yajaira Castro Mendez, a Colombian woman reported missing from Ilford, East London. Yajaira, aged 33 or 46 according to varying reports, was last seen on May 29, 2025, and her disappearance led to a murder investigation by the Metropolitan Police. Juan Francisco Toledo, 51, of Lambeth, was arrested on June 4 and charged with her murder; he has appeared in court and is remanded in custody. The body was discovered during searches on June 7, more than 100 miles from her home, and formal identification has been completed with her family being supported by specially trained officers. Police continue to work closely with Hampshire Police, maintaining active crime scenes while appealing to the public for any information to aid the investigation. Detectives described the discovery as a very sad development and expressed their condolences to Yajaira's family and friends.