Police pledge in vice murder hunt

Emma Caldwell (l) several years ago and (r) more recently

Police have pledged to "turn over every stone" in the hunt for the person who murdered a Glasgow prostitute.

The body of Emma Caldwell, 27, who had been reported missing last month, was found in woods near Biggar on Sunday.

She became a heroin addict after the death of her sister exactly seven years ago to the day and later became a prostitute on the streets of Glasgow.

Emma was last seen walking alone in Butterbiggins Road, towards Victoria Road, at about 2300 BST on 4 April.

She had been staying at a women's hostel in the Govanhill area.

Today is also the seventh anniversary of her sister Karen's death, which makes it particularly difficult to bear Det Sup Willie Johnstone

Her body was found by a member of the public in woods near Kilnpotlees, Roberton, at about 1300 BST on Sunday.

Police said she almost certainly died very soon after the last sighting of her in Govanhill.

Detective Superintendent Willie Johnston said: "Inquiries into Emma's death are at a very early stage although the incident room has been running since 19 April, following her disappearance.

"Forensic officers are carrying out a detailed search of the area and a team of officers has been dedicated to this investigation.

Family's efforts

"I am anxious to speak to anyone who has seen Emma since 4 April or has any information whatsoever concerning the circumstances leading up to her death.

"We can say that she was addicted. The family are aware of that and despite their best efforts, they could not draw her away from the power of that addiction.

"I have spent some time speaking to the parents of Emma, who are naturally devastated at their loss. Today is also the seventh anniversary of her sister Karen's death, which makes it particularly difficult to bear."

Emma's life began to change after the death of her sister Karen

It has been reported that Emma may have been forced to walk to the woods before being murdered, but police said they could not confirm this.

Seven prostitutes working in Glasgow were murdered between 1991 and 1998 but only one conviction has been secured.

Brian Donnelly was jailed for life for murdering Margo Lafferty in 1998.

Last June, a jury returned a not proven verdict on a man who was charged with murdering Jacqueline Gallagher in 1996.

'Open mind'

Det Supt Johnston said his team were keeping an "open mind" on any possible link with previous prostitute murders.

"We will be turning over every stone that we find to try and find the killer, or killers, of Emma," he said.

Officers are expected to study CCTV footage of areas of Glasgow city centre and east end where Emma was known to work.

The body was discovered in woodland on Sunday

They said that if men seen on the tapes did not come forward they could be visited by detectives.

The investigation is also focusing on the area where Emma's body was found, which is near two service stations on the M74 motorway link to the south, Happendon and Abington.

Almost 50 officers are now working on the inquiry and forensic activity will continue in South Lanarkshire for several days.