Canal Body Confirmed As Ex-EastEnders Actress

A headless torso found in a London canal has been formally identified as the body of former EastEnders actress Gemma McCluskie - as her brother continues to be questioned on suspicion of murder.

The 29-year-old was last seen alive at a hospital opening in Whitechapel, east London on March 1.

Police are reviewing CCTV images of the event and have appealed for witnesses who can tell them about her movements.

Detective Superintendent Fiona Mallon, who is leading the Scotland Yard investigation, said: "It is important that we piece together Gemma's movements from Wednesday, February 29, until the discovery in Regent's Canal in Hackney on Tuesday.

"We also 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."

The actress was pictured at the hospital event wearing a yellow long-sleeved blouse with a round neck, and navy-blue leggings. She was also carrying a two-toned Louis Vuitton bag with beige handles.

Her BlackBerry mobile phone, which had a white case, has not been recovered.

Her body, which was also missing its arms and legs, was pulled from the canal after it was spotted by a member of the public.

Police divers have been searching the Broadway Market stretch of the waterway for her head and limbs.

Officers have also been making door-to-door enquiries in the area.

Miss McCluskie's family were informed that police believed the torso was hers before the formal identification.

Her brother, Tony, 35, was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of her murder and is still being held by police.

Detectives have until later today to either charge or release him.

Former EastEnders co-star Brooke Kinsella posted on Twitter: "Thinking of you Gemma. I am so so sorry. Despair of the world we live in sometimes. RIP darling xxx."

Kinsella has become a prominent anti-knife crime campaigner since her brother Ben was murdered in 2008 .

Sky News reporter Jane Dougall said: "Clearly the people who knew Gemma McCluskie have been very upset by what has happened, but also people who didn't know her - perhaps people who watched her in the soap, just people living nearby who have heard what has happened.

"There are many flowers and tributes that have been left to Gemma McCluskie just down by the towpath."

Miss McCluskie starred in the soap as Kerry Skinner on more than 30 occasions in 2001.

Her character arrived in Walford as a friend of Zoe Slater and the great niece of the late Ethel Skinner. She briefly dated Robbie Jackson and got him to propose to her.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police incident room on 020 8345 3985 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.