Locals may have seen victim's body ablaze

• Where it happened: The scene near Branchalfield Drive in Wishaw following the discovery of the badly burned body of 17-year-old Zoe Nelson. Pictures: PA

The remains of Zoe Nelson were discovered on the edge of a housing estate in Wishaw on Sunday, with police launching a murder investigation following the results of a post-mortem examination on Monday.

Ms Nelson's mother said yesterday the family was "absolutely heartbroken", adding that everyone was "devastated" at the way the 17-year-old met her death.

Ms Nelson, from Newmains, North Lanarkshire, was last seen leaving her home at 5pm on Saturday. Her body was found about a mile away, near Branchalfield Drive in Wishaw, at around 4.20pm the following day.

Forensic officers were continuing to examine the grassland area, known locally as the Monkey Hill, yesterday.

It is believed that Ms Nelson suffered at least 60 per cent burns to her body, forcing police to use a variety of techniques to identify the remains, including the teenager's tattoos.

Police are trying to trace her movements from when she left her mother's house to reports from residents of a fire in the area at around 11.20pm on the Saturday night.

Detective Superintendent Derek Robertson said Ms Nelson was well known in the area and hoped someone would recognise who she was with.

It is thought she went out with friends on Saturday night to enjoy one of the warmest evenings of the year.

Zoe's boyfriend, a local resident who has not yet been named, has been questioned as a witness, police said.

In a statement issued by police, Ms Nelson's mother, Marieann, said: "We are absolutely heartbroken at the death of Zoe and devastated by the way in which she died. Zoe was a popular girl and a typical 17-year-old who had plenty of friends and was well known in the area.

"She would have been celebrating her 18th birthday in a couple of months and we miss her terribly.

"Me, her stepdad Daniel and two sisters Laura Ann and Ashley are shattered by what has happened." Det Supt Robertson said: "This was a tragedy and it is a terrible time for the family and our thoughts go out to them.

"She was a well-known and popular young girl. She was last seen by her mother leaving the family home at 5pm on Saturday. We believe she was visiting the local area. We know local residents saw a fire at the Monkey Hill area at 11.20pm on Saturday night."

Det Supt Robertson added: "This is a terrible incident, and a tragedy for the family and a young life cut short.

"We will not rest until this person has been caught – we will use as many officers as possible, we will work as many hours as possible. We will find this person."

Residents living close to the scene in Wishaw were shocked by the discovery.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "We are horrified. This is usually a quiet, nice area. This is a nightmare, a horrific nightmare." Ms Nelson was doing a vehicle body and paint operations course at Motherwell College.

College principal Hugh Logan said: "Everyone at the college is shocked to hear this dreadful news. Zoe was a very popular student.

"Our thoughts are with her family and friends."

The college said yesterday that it would provide support to any student who needs it.

Many of Ms Nelson's friends have also paid tribute on social networking sites.

One said: "She was really popular and was the last person that you would imagine something like this would happen to."