A MURDER hunt has been launched after a woman's body was found in a freezer at a house in a leafy suburb between Richmond Park and the river Thames on Tuesday. The dismembered remains are of Korean-born Tae Hui Dalton, 31 and police are now hunting for her husband, 34-year-old Paul Dalton.

Reports said that the gruesome discovery was made by the victim's father-in-law who had called at the £500,000 house in Woodside Road just off the Richmond Road, Kingston. Finding no one at home he had let himself in and found the remains wrapped in plastic in the freezer. Police were called to the house at 10.07pm after the grim discovery was made.

Early yesterday afternoon (Thursday) police issued a description of Dalton and warned the public not to approach him, but to contact police, although he is not thought to pose any danger to the public. Forensic teams wearing white protective suits arrived at the property mid morning on Wednesday and were seen to remove a number of items from the house. The body was removed later in the day.

The road was cordoned off throughout the day and only residents were allowed access, in order to protect the scene. Police officers stationed at each end of the taped-off road kept track of movements.

Officers from Scotland Yard's Specialist Crime Directorate are investigating the murder, led by DCI Nick Ephgrave.

Mr Dalton's car has since been discovered by police in Walton-on-Thames. The couple are believed to have been married in 1997 and have a six year old daughter. Neighbours said yesterday that the couple largely kept themselves to themselves.

A post mortem examination into the cause of death took place at the mortuary in Kingston Hospital yesterday morning (Thursday).

Dalton is described as a white male, of slim to medium build with blue/grey eyes. He is 6ft and has a mole on the front left hand side of his neck. He has dark brown wavy hair, which is short and swept back with a left hand parting. Anyone who has seen Paul or knows his whereabouts is urged to contact the incident room on 020 8721 4205 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.