The police have arrested a 25-year-old Indian national and are trying to locate another man, in connection with the murder of a 33-year-old woman, whose decapitated body was found in Whampoa River on Dec 12.

The victim has been identified as Ms Jasvinder Kaur, 33, who is from India, said the police in a statement on Thursday. The spokesman said the other man they are searching for to assist in their investigations, is her husband Harvinder Singh.

Mr Singh had apparently left Singapore before Ms Kaur's death had been reported. "We have sought the assistance of our counterparts in the neighbouring countries to trace his whereabouts," said the spokesman.

The 33-year-old Indian national, who is here on an Employment Pass, is working as a senior logistics coordinator. The suspect in custody, said to be his friend, is a Special Pass holder and was working as a forklift driver when he was arrested at his workplace on Wednesday.

The case was initially classified as an unnatural death when the body of Ms Kaur, which was apparently wrapped in a trash bag, was discovered last Thursday by a jogger and a cleaner in the waterway between McNair Road and St George's Road. Her head and arms, which were believed to have been mutilated, were missing.

The Straits Times understands that she was wearing just a pair of black pants when her body was brought to land.

The police have also notified the Indian High Commission to help contact the family of the victim.

Members of the public who have any information on Mr Singh, can call the police on 1800-255-0000 or submit the information online at www.spf.gov.sg/CrimeStopper.