A young woman has been found murdered on a riverside footpath.
The body of the woman, thought to be aged 19, was found next to the Kennet River in Reading, Berkshire, at 9.15pm on Monday night.
Thames Valley Police said the murder scene, under the A33 and near the Green Park industrial estate, is an area popular with cyclists and dog walkers. The footpath remains closed while investigations take place.
Detective Superintendent Karen Trego urged any potential witnesses to contact police.
She said: "This is a popular area with cyclists and dog walkers and I appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward.
"We have a team of detectives working on this case and are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed this incident or who has any information about it."
People walking their dogs near the murder scene, close to the Madejski Stadium, said they avoid the area at night because it is badly lit.
There are several CCTV cameras in the vicinity, however, and their footage will be examined by police.
Kathryn Hilliard, 28, of nearby Kennet Island, said: "That part of the footpath is a bit scary and there's a lot of graffiti down there. I would never go down there in the dark on my own."
Debbie Garth, 39, said: "I've always been wary of walking under there, and will be even more wary now."
