Kew murder: Man arrested in Estonia over death of film-maker found in shallow grave
Laureline Garcia-Bertaux, from France, was reported missing on 5 March after she failed to turn up for work at a London PR firm.
Thursday 14 March 2019 20:34, UK
A man has been arrested in Estonia over the murder of a French film-maker found buried in her garden in west London.
The 32-year-old suspect was detained in Estonia's capital Tallinn just before 12.30pm on Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police said.
Laureline Garcia-Bertaux, 34, was reported missing on 5 March after she failed to turn up for work at public relations firm Golin, where she was an executive assistant.
The following day her body was found in a shallow grave in the back garden of her home in Kew.
A post-mortem examination found she had been strangled.
The Met Police said extradition proceedings will begin to bring the arrested man to the UK.
Colleagues described Ms Garcia-Bertaux as "a wonderfully creative, caring and charismatic woman".
She was originally from Aix-en-Provence, south France, and had been living in Kew since last April.
As well as her work as a personal assistant, she was involved in film and had worked with Dame Joan Collins on the 2018 short film Gerry.
Dame Joan said she was "shocked by the horrifying news" of Ms Garcia-Bertaux's death.
Producer and actress friend Hester Ruoff said Ms Garcia-Bertaux was "an amazing individual" and had been due to help with filming a new movie next month.