Woman found dead in suitcase is named as it emerges she had been missing for nearly a month

A WOMAN whose body was found in a suitcase in a homeless hostel had been missing for nearly a month, it has emerged. The Met Police today named her as Joanna Borucka, 41, who was originally from Poland. Police were called at 2.53pm on Friday, December 18 to the Pay and Sleep homeless hostel in The Crescent, Southall where the body of a woman had been found inside a suitcase by a painter and decorator. A post-mortem examination has since been carried out but at this stage, a specific cause of death has not been confirmed and further tests are being carried out. A Met Police spokesman said: "It is believed Joanna was last seen on Friday, November 20. "Officers are keen to hear from anyone who has information about her disappearance or the circumstances that led to her death." Although the death is being treated as "unexplained," murder detectives are investiating. Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command (Homicide), said: “News of Joanna’s death will no doubt come as a shock to those who knew her, particularly so given the circumstances in which her body was found. “We continue to keep an open mind and are considering all possible lines of enquiry. "There is a gap between when we believe Joanna was last seen and when her body was found. “It’s important that we are able to speak to anyone who has information about her recent movements. If you know what she was doing, who she was with or anything else – no matter how small – please get in touch.” There has been no arrest. Enquiries continue. Residents at the hostel had reported a foul smell in the previous two weeks. A hostel resident, who gave her name only as Lisa, said a man who had been in the same room had also not been seen since and people had been told by others the dead woman had left for Victoria coach station. She said: "She lived on the floor up at the top. We were told by one of the other guys that she'd gone to Victoria coach station. "No one could get hold of her but now we know why. "She had someone living in the room with her. We don't know where he is. "She was a lovely girl, she kept herself to herself." Another resident, who only gave his name as Martin, said the woman had been a "very good person". He said: "I know it was found in a suitcase, the body. She was my good friend." He said he had known the woman for "about five years" when he lived in Acton. He added: "We had similar friends. Nice girl, very nice and friendly." Anyone with information is urged to call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 4319/18DEC. Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.