Mother 'murdered' after night out

Mary McLaren was last seen in the early hours of 25 February

A mother-of-three whose body was found dumped in undergrowth in Dundee after a night out was murdered, police have confirmed.

Mary McLaren's body was discovered near the Ladywell roundabout on Wednesday. She disappeared on 25 February after a visit to a nightclub with her sister.

The 34-year-old was seen in Marketgait with a man she met at the club.

Her husband, Scott McLaren, said the family were devastated. He paid tribute to his wife, who he said "loved life".

Det Ch Insp Shaun McKillop, from Tayside Police, said: ''A post mortem examination was carried out today and we are now treating Mary's death as a murder.

She just loved life and spending time with her family Scott McLaren

"Forensic examination of the scene will continue over the course of the weekend and we will continue to speak to potential witnesses over the next few days.

"Our thoughts are with Mary's family at this very upsetting and distressing time."

Mr McLaren described his wife as a "kind, funny, popular, friendly person".

The couple met at Kingspark School when they were teenagers and married in 2001.

'Out of character'

Speaking from the family home, he said: "I still can't believe that she has gone. It's heartbreaking.

"The worst part was not knowing where she was, and wondering why she had never contacted anyone in the family. It was just so out of character.

''She just loved life and spending time with her family whether it was shopping with her sisters, playing bingo, going out dancing or just socialising."

Mr McLaren said his wife, who leaves behind three children aged 17, 14, and 10, had been looking forward to becoming a grandmother.

"It's extremely sad that she will never get the chance to enjoy that time in her life," he added.