Missing businesswoman may have been in trouble over debts, say police

POLICE fear a businesswoman who went missing two months ago may have come to harm over huge debts she had run-up.

The concerns were raised as Strathclyde Police appealed for information on her whereabouts at a press conference yesterday.

Lynda Spence was last seen on 14 April after staying with a female friend in the Maryhill area of Glasgow. The 27-year-old had indicated to her friend that she intended to travel to London, but it is not known whether she went there.

Before Ms Spence's disappearance, she worked in the financial sector, mainly in securing mortgages and investments, and had run a number of companies, the most recent of which was Fraser Developments on Glasgow's Great Western Road.

Detective Superintendent Alan Buchanan, of Strathclyde Police's Major Investigation Team, said that the "substantial six-figure" debt she had run up in relation to her businesses may have put her in danger. "We understand that recently her businesses had gone into quite severe financial difficulty and she may in fact owe a number of people money," he said.

"This may be the cause of Lynda disappearing, to try to avoid these people, but it may also be a cause for serious concern that she may have come to harm at the hands of persons that she may owe money to."

He said some of her dealings involved "people who were already known to the police" and could be dangerous "if she was in debt to these persons".

Mr Buchanan said that, before her disappearance, some of Ms Spence's financial dealings "were known to the police".

However, he added: "We don't know at this stage if she has gone of her own free will or if she's come to serious harm. And we're considering all options here, all lines of inquiry are open here."

He said that in the past Ms Spence had gone under the names of Lynda Palmer, Lynda Reilly and Lynda Zefaj. The latter was the second name of a former Albanian business and personal associate. Her parents, who were at the press conference, said they did not believe she had ever married.

Choking back tears, Patricia Spence said: "We're appealing to anyone who has information about our daughter.

"Lynda, if you are listening, please come forward to let us know you are safe and well. Can you go to any police station to let us know you are OK?

"You have nothing to worry about. Whatever has happened can be sorted. We just need to know that you are OK.

"Lynda, it's Father's Day this Sunday. Please let us know that you are safe and well. If anyone has any information about Lynda, please contact the police."

Mrs Spence then broke down and had to leave the room. Ms Spence was last seen by her parents at around 6pm on 13 April, the day of her mother's birthday, when she left their flat in Castlebank Terrace in the Glasgow Harbour area. The next day her mother received a text from her daughter's phone saying she had gone to London. Mr Buchanan said there were no apparent signs at the time of her disappearance that she might be suicidal.

Her old mobile phone was found last Thursday in Ayrshire after she disappeared, but police said she had not used it for weeks. It was found in a bin outside a shop in Holmhead, Kilbirnie.

Her current mobile has not been used since 19 April, but it is not known whether she used it after her disappearance. Her car, a silver Vauxhall Astra, was seen on the A77 in Floak, near Fenwick, East Ayrshire, on 20 April.