BODY PARTS FOUND IN HUNT FOR JULIE, 47
LOCALS REPORT SHOCKING DISCOVERY Police say she was murdered and start search for suitcases
POLICE searching for a missing gran were last night investigating reports of human remains found near her home.
Detectives said they believe Julie Reilly, who went missing from her home in Govan, Glasgow, more than two months ago, was murdered.
The investigation was launched as residents said they had found what they thought were human remains on streets close to where she lived.
One said he saw a body part lying on a driveway.
Police set up a tent over the find on Ardshiel Street, two streets from Julie’s home. A second tent was put up on land off Drumoyne Drive.
Searches had begun in neighbours’ gardens on Friday.
Police last night refused to comment on the claims.
Julie, 47, was last seen alive on February 6 when she was spotted at 5pm on CCTV at an Aldi supermarket on Paisley Road West in Govan.
She was reported missing on February 15 after failing to turn up for appointments.
Police yesterday upgraded their investigation to a murder probe but said they did not know where her body was.
They added that they were trying to find two suitcases that they believed had been dumped in the south side of the city – but would not reveal what they thought was in them.
One resident of Ardshiel Street said police were called after he helped his neighbour inspect the item on his driveway.
He said: “All the police would say was that it wasn’t an animal and that it would be at least Monday until tests were back.”
As the murder hunt was launched, DCI Mark Bell of the police’s major investigations team, said: “Officers can now confirm that Julie Reilly is deceased and they are treating her death as murder.
“Two suitcases may contain evidence regarding Julie’s disappearance.
“The suitcases are believed to have been discarded in the south side of Glasgow, particularly in the Cardonald, Cessnock and Govan areas of the city.
“They may have been left at a roadway, in a garden path, a park, a pathway or on waste ground.”
A police source said they believed the cases are vital to their probe. They added: “We are looking for two which could be in different areas of the city.”
Forensic officers combed Julie’s flat in Shieldhall Road for clues about what happened to her. Steel shutters were put up on the windows.
A woman who stays in the same block of flats said: “I really thought they would find her. I’m shocked.”
The Record last month reported that Julie’s mum Margaret Hanlon, 69, begged her daughter or anyone with information to get in touch.
Julie’s sister Lynne Bryce, 36, who was also at the appeal, added: “Please don’t let us go on like this – I’m begging you from the bottom of my heart.”
Members of the public with useful information are asked to call 101, the incident room on 0141 305 4511 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.