LONDON: A headless body found last Sunday is of a Malaysian woman living in the United Kingdom (UK) who went missing two weeks ago.
Chong Mee Kuen, 67, also known as Mee Kuen Chong, was reported missing since June 11 by the UK media.
According to UK daily The Independent, Chong, who also goes by the name Deborah, was last seen in the Wembley suburb of London where she has lived since 2004.
According to the BBC, Chong's headless body was found in a woodland area near the coastal town of Salcombe, Devon on June 27.
Local police suspect that the body has been there for a few days before the gruesome discovery. They have appealed for information from the public to help trace Chong's movements before her disappearance.
"We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen or come across Mrs Chong between Thursday, (June 10), to Sunday (27 June). This includes any hotels or bed and breakfast accommodation where she may have stayed and also from anyone who knows why she was in Salcombe," said a police spokesperson.
There was no mention in the local media there on whether Chong's family has been informed of her death.
Following the discovery of her body, police detectives stated that Chong's death is currently being treated as 'unexplained'.
Detective superintendent Ben Deer of the Devon and Cornwall police said they have not ascertained when she died, her movements and whereabouts between June 10 to June 27, nor the circumstances that led to her gruesome death, according to The Mirror.
On June 15, Brent Metropolitan Police took to social media issuing an alert about Chong's disappearance and to seek help in locating the 67-year-old from members of the public.
In the aftermath of the tragic incident, police have issued a warning to residents in Salcombe to not be preturbed by the 'increased level of police presence and activity' in days to come.
"Police would like to reassure the public that while this discovery may cause concerns in the community, the heightened police presence is to investigate all the circumstances," said a spokesman.
The Independent revealed that the woodland area where Chong's body was found is popular among locals who take their pet dogs out for walks.
The town has a population of about 1,600 and is located about 350km southeast of London.