A Senegalese man, Mustapha Dia, is being held on suspicion of murder after a 26-year-old woman was found dead at a flat in Manchester, England. 

The woman, a Senegalese who grew up Italy, has been named as Lala Camara. It is not yet clear how she died but a post-mortem examination will take place to identify the cause.

Dia, 21, was arrested at the address in Denton Court, Manchester after ambulance crews called police there at 10.35pm last Saturday.

He has been charged with murder at Manchester Crown Court and remanded in custody.

Inspector Dan Clegg, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “First of all, my thoughts are with the woman’s family and friends at this devastating time. We will leave no stone unturned in order to give them the answers they deserve.

“We are yet to know the cause of the woman’s death but the circumstances in which she was found have lead us to believe her death is unfortunately suspicious.

“We are appealing for anyone who may know something about her death to get in touch as soon as possible. Any information, no matter how small could be vital to our investigation.”

Neighbours in Denton Court, where the grim discovery was made, expressed their shock at the news.

One, Cameron Wood, told the Manchester Evening News: “I’m pretty shocked to hear what’s happened. You wouldn’t think it would happen around here. It’s pretty quiet and everyone gets on with each other.”

Lala Camara moved from Italy where her family still lives to Manchester to work as a  nurse three years ago.

Mustapha Dia, 21, of Denton Court, Denton, has been charged with murder and appeared before Tameside magistrates earlier.

He was remanded in custody ahead of an appearance at Manchester Crown Court on Friday.