Corstorphine Hill: Victim image prompts 30 calls

POLICE have received over 30 calls, from as far afield as Israel, after releasing a facial reconstruction image of a woman whose dismembered remains were discovered in a shallow grave.

DCI Keith Hardie with the image. Picture: Julie Bull/TSPL

The image, which detectives believe is accurate, is the latest attempt to identify the murder victim found on Edinburgh’s Costorphine Hill on June 6.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Hardie said: “The initial response to the release of the facial reconstruction image has been very encouraging. We have received more than 30 calls, from people as far away as Israel, suggesting a possible identity for the woman and each of these calls will be followed up by the team of officers dedicated to this case.

“I would like to thank the media for helping us circulate this reconstruction and the public for their response so far. We will be circulating the image widely and detectives will be taking it round homes and businesses in the Corstorphine Hill area.

“Somebody knows who this woman is. We need that person to see this image, to recognise the face and to make that call.”

The facial reconstruction was produced by experts at University of Dundee using CT scans of the woman’s skull. Similar images of Mary Queen of Scots, Robert Burns and Richard III have been produced by the same method.

The woman was white, aged between 32 and 60, about 5ft 2in and of medium build. Detectives say she had extensive dental treatment done and details of her implants and veneers have appeared in trade publications to try to jog dentists’ memories.

Images of her distinctive jewellery including two gold rings set with precious stones, one in a daisy shape and the other an Irish Claddagh ring, have also been released.

DCI Hardie said officers hope the image of her face is the ‘’final piece of the jigsaw’’.

He said: ‘’From a very early stage we’ve linked in with Europol and Interpol, and passed on the initial general description of this lady which wasn’t necessarily that specific. But we’ll go back now with the latest information and this facial image, but I think it’s important we concentrate within our own country and the UK as well as having one eye on abroad.

‘’We’ve also made good progress around the significant dental work that’s been done, and the facial reconstruction is another thing that we hope could be the final piece of the jigsaw.’’

Read more on the Corstorphine Hill murder

• Killer left no DNA at scene

• Facial reconstruction image of victim is released

• Dentists brought in to help police identify victim