Murder detectives appeal for information over death of transgender escort found beaten and strangled in flat

 
Victim: escort Vanessa Santillan was from Mexico
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Murder squad detectives are appealing for people who knew a “high class” transgender escort to come forward after she was found beaten and strangled in west London.

Vanessa Santillan, 33, was found dead inside a £400,000 first-floor flat in Fulham and police have urged people who met her in the previous 48 hours to contact them.

Ms Santillan, a glamour model and escort who is originally from Mexico, has a personal website which describes herself as “one in a million” and states: “I’m a Ts girl visiting from MIAMI FL.”

It is understood she has spent the last few years as a high-end call girl and has made regular trips to London among other European capitals.

She wrote on her personal website of a jetset lifestyle visiting London, Paris and Miami and included photographs of shopping trips to fashion boutiques including Louis Vuitton and Harrods.

She is believed to have flown back to Mexico City in early March after spending time in London, before returning to the capital just a few days before she was found dead.

On her website, she writes: “I am looking to meet upscale, respectable gentlemen, of a certain calibre, who know how to treat a lady like me.

“I do not appreciate being asked impolite, personal questions over the telephone in particular. In return for your graciousness you can expect the best in return.”

Police launched a murder investigation after they were called to reports of a body of a women being found at a flat in Romily Court off Landridge Road at around 9.30pm on Saturday March 28.

Neighbours in Romily Court said forensic officers spent more than five days on the estate going door-to-door.

Pauline Rodgers, 45, who lives in the next block of flats, said: “Police were here for almost a week. They were speaking to us all but would not tell us what had happened, just that one of the flats was a crime scene.

“We had police officers sitting in the entrance to the blocks stopping people from going up unless they had identification.

“I saw them carrying loads of bags out of the flats. They were checking where the bins are as well.”

Scotland Yard has appealed for witnesses who saw Ms Santillan in the last 48 hours before she died to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Reeves, who is leading the investigation, said: “Vanessa’s parents are devastated by the loss of their daughter. She was living many miles from home, but she was regularly in touch with her family, and she last spoke to them on Friday 27 March.

“Later that evening, she met up with a small group of friends and went out to the West End, returning home in the early hours of Saturday. I need to hear from anyone who saw Vanessa on Saturday 28 March and anyone who met her while she was in London.”

She added: “We need to know why this has happened and we want help from anyone who knew her while she was in London.”

A 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the investigation and bailed until next month as investigations continue.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 0208 721 4868 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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