Dead man is murder victim’s missing neighbour

A BODY found near an East Renfrewshire golf club was that of a man who disappeared two days before his neighbour was found murdered, police have confirmed. The body of Charles Walker, 52, was found on 21 November near Whitecraigs Golf Club in Giffnock.

Walker had been missing since 24 October from his home in nearby Thornliebank. His neighbour, Lynne Small, 36, was on 26 October found beaten to death at her home in nearby Addison Grove.

It is thought her body had been there for at least two days.

A Strathclyde Police spokesman said yesterday: “Following forensic tests the body has now been identified as the missing man Charles Walker. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.”

Detectives had previously said they had not established any connection between Small’s murder and Walker’s disappearance.

Officers had to force entry to Small’s property, which was locked.

Detective Chief Inspector John McDonald said at the time: “It was clear at that stage that she had been the victim of an attack and a post-mortem examination revealed that she had been murdered.”

DCI McDonald said Small, who lived alone and was unemployed, had been by herself at the time of the attack.

Police divers had previously searched the boating pond in nearby Rouken Glen Park as part of the hunt for East Renfrewshire Council labourer Walker, who was last seen at around 7pm on 24 October in Thornliebank.