A MANHUNT was under way in Ipswich today following the discovery of a body in the boot of a car in Essex.Police launched a murder investigation after finding what they believe to be the corpse of Inga Losiene in Riviera Drive, Southend at 10.

A MANHUNT was under way in Ipswich today following the discovery of a body in the boot of a car in Essex.

Police launched a murder investigation after finding what they believe to be the corpse of Inga Losiene in Riviera Drive, Southend at 10.30pm yesterday.

Although formal identification had yet to take place early today, an Essex police statement said: "We are linking what is thought to be a body in the boot of the car to the disappearance of Ms Losiene.

"The car is now subject to a forensic examination and a post mortem will follow."

Investigations have now switched to establishing the whereabouts of her partner Farik Farukh, who has links with the Ipswich Iraqi-Kurd community.

A spokeswoman for Essex police said inquiries would be continuing to establish any links with the county, with detectives linking up with their Suffolk counterparts.

As yet, the whereabouts of the 32-year-old, missing since May 29, are unknown.

It has been learned that he drove to Ipswich with Ms Losiene's two children, a boy aged six and a girl aged 11, on the day she disappeared, May 27.

It is still unclear why Mr Farukh made the trip to Ipswich. Police say it is not known where the trio stayed overnight in Ipswich but they have revealed a car belonging to the couple was found abandoned on the A14 near Trimley St Martin. This is no longer central to the probe.

It is thought the blue-grey Rover broke down, forcing Mr Farukh to flag down an elderly couple to get a lift to Felixstowe Railway Station.

It is believed the trio then took a number of trains back to Southend.

Mr Farukh left the two children with a babysitter the evening before his disappearance and the alarm was raised when he did not return to collect them after work the following day.

The children have been spoken to by police in a bid to trace the couple and are now being cared for by relatives in Southend.

Ms Losiene, 32, from Lithuania, was last seen shopping near to her home in the Essex town.

A member of the public alerted police to the second vehicle, near to Southend East Railway Station, yesterday and this has now been seized.

Det Supt Simon Dinsdale, who is leading the inquiry, said: "We are making enquiries with all friends and associates of Inga and Farik and would like to hear from anyone who knows them."

Yesterday, an Essex Police spokesman refused to "rule anything out". Today they said a murder probe was under way.

Mr Farukh is of Middle Eastern appearance with dark hair.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the couple should call Essex Police on 01268 775 588.