'Body in burn' is missing woman

Police are refusing to say how Ms Brown was killed

Human remains found in a burn in East Ayrshire are those of a missing 51-year-old woman, police have confirmed.

Anne Brown was last seen on 18 October at her mother's home in Ayrshire with her grandson, who was later traced.

Her remains were discovered near Craignaught Farm and Craignaught tarmac quarry on Friday, close to the A735 where her car had been found abandoned.

Police have launched a murder inquiry but refused to say how Ms Brown was killed or how her body was found.

A post mortem examination, carried out on Saturday, confirmed that the remains were those of a woman who had been murdered.

Police said DNA tests had since confirmed that the remains were those of Ms Brown.

Det Ch Insp Peter McPike, of Strathclyde Police, who is leading the investigation, called for an end to media speculation about Ms Brown's death.

I would appeal to anyone who knew Anne or who saw or spoke to her last Saturday evening to contact the police Det Ch Insp Peter McPike Strathclyde Police

He said: "I am aware that there has been speculation in media reports of how Anne's body was found which have been, in some aspects, inaccurate and therefore unhelpful.

"This has caused undue distress to family of Anne Brown.

"I do not intend to detail how she died or specify how her body was found. My focus is to trace the person or persons responsible for her murder."

Det Ch Insp McPike confirmed that Ms Brown was last seen on 18 October when she left her mother's house with her grandson.

She intended to travel to her home in Laigh Gree, Burnhouse, Ayrshire, a journey of about 15 minutes.

Mrs Brown's body was found in a burn near to where her car was abandoned

Her car was found abandoned at about 0230 GMT on Sunday, near to where her body was later discovered.

Det Ch Insp McPike added: "This car, which has been forensically examined, forms a significant part of our investigation.

"I would again appeal to any person who was travelling on the Dunlop to Neilston Road near to Craignaught Farm and Craignaught Tarmac Quarry on the evening of Saturday 18 October or the early hours of Sunday 19 October to come forward.

"It is important that we establish Anne's last movements. What happened to her when she left her mother's house? Did she go straight home?

"I would appeal to anyone who knew Anne or who saw or spoke to her last Saturday evening to contact the police. They may know something that could be relevant to our investigation."