Searches as head find woman named

Officers were conducting further inquiries at two new sites

The woman whose remains were found in a shopping bag in Edinburgh has been identified by police.

DNA tests have revealed the remains were from 44-year-old Heather Stacey from Edinburgh. Her head and bones were found in Newhaven on 31 December.

Alan Cameron, 54, from Edinburgh, has appeared in court in connection with the discovery of the remains.

Meanwhile, police have cordoned off two further search areas in the Granton area, as their investigations continue.

Ms Stacey is believed to have died within the past two years and tests were ongoing to establish the exact circumstances, although it is understood she was not registered as a missing person.

Badly decomposed

Mr Cameron was charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice over the course of the past year. He is also charged with breach of the peace.

He made no plea or declaration during his appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and has been remanded in custody.

Ms Stacey's badly decomposed head was found alongside bones in a blue Ikea bag, by a woman out walking along Hawthornvale.

Other bags found at the scene in Hawthornvale contained bones and "various materials" but police would not reveal what they were.

The areas in Granton being searched were about a mile from where Ms Stacey's head was discovered.

Lothian and Borders Police refused to confirm if their activities were connected with the case but said searches would continue in the coming days and appealed for anyone who knew Ms Stacey to contact them immediately.