Murder accused worked with victim, court told

Yajaira Castro Mendez, a 46-year-old cleaner from Ilford, was reported missing on May 31 after leaving her home two days earlier. Authorities found her body in the New Forest on June 1, prompting an investigation that led to the arrest of Juan Francisco Toledo, 51. He is charged with her murder, with prosecutors alleging he fatally injured Mendez while they worked together in central London's legal district. Mendez's former flatmate raised concerns when she did not move into her new accommodation as planned. A post-mortem examination is currently underway in Winchester to determine her cause of death.

Toledo, a Venezuelan national, required a Spanish interpreter during the court proceedings. He remains in custody, and a preliminary hearing is set for September 1, 2025, with a provisional trial date of April 20, 2026. This case highlights ongoing concerns about workplace safety and violence against women.