Canal body confirmed as ex-EastEnders actress

A body discovered at a canal in London has been formally identified as ex-EastEnders actress Gemma McCluskie.

Police have confirmed that the headless torso found in Hackney is that of McCluskie, who played Kerry in over 30 episodes of the BBC soap in 2001.

The 29-year-old disappeared from Bethnal Green, east London, last Thursday (March 1).

Scotland Yard officers, who are reviewing CCTV footage of her last movements, say she was murdered and dumped in the canal after attending the opening of a new hospital.

Detective Superintendent Fiona Mallon, who is leading the investigation, said: “We urge anyone with any significant information about this case to contact us as soon as possible.

“In particular we would like to hear from anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity around her home address in Pelter Street in Bethnal Green.”

A 35-year-old man, thought to be McCluskie’s brother, still remains in custody following his arrest in connection with the case.

According to reports in The Sun and The Mirror Gemma McCluskie had a “heated” row in her home shortly before going missing.

“She had a heated row that a number of people heard. Police have been told about it”, a friend told The Mirror.

A former schoolfriend of Gemma’s told The Sun: “It’s shocking. Gemma was so beautiful – but she was terrified of this man.”

Her EastEnders co-star Dean Gaffney recently said that he was “utterly devastated” by her disappearance.