New search for killer’s DNA in Caldwell murder mystery
FRESH leads in the unsolved murder of Emma Caldwell have sparked a new search of the remote woodland where her body was found, 12 years to the day after she disappeared.
In May 2005, the Glasgow prostitute’s body was found naked and strangled in the countryside near Roberton, Lanarkshire.
The 27-year-old had gone missing on April 4 that year and a dog walker found her body a month later.
Officers renewed the investigation two years ago and yesterday announced they have uncovered significant new leads in the hunt for her killer.
At a press conference – attended by Miss Caldwell’s 68-year-old mother Margaret – the senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent David McLaren, said new information has focused on two specific sites in the woods where her corpse was discovered, and that a 20-strong team of officers had been sent to conduct a week-long search.
A marine unit has been searching a pond in the area where her body was found, while other units started a ‘fingertip search’ of a further site.
Police are trying to find her clothing, a large bag and other personal effects not found with her body in the hope that they may carry DNA evidence of her killer. Mr McLaren also announced that a new interview of an existing witness had provided a later possible sighting of Miss Caldwell.
It was previously thought the last sighting was on Butterbiggins Road in Govanhill, Glasgow, around 11pm on April 4, but the witness has told them she may have been seen entering a black car – possibly a BMW – on Argyle Street in Anderston, Glasgow, around 11.30pm.
Officers believe the car was owned by a man from Dumfries who regularly travelled to Glasgow. The woodland where the former horse-riding instructor was found dead is roughly equidistant between Glasgow and Dumfries and sits near the M74 between them.
Mr McLaren said: ‘Emma’s clothing and belongings have never been found but I still believe that there may be forensic evidence that would assist the investigation if we could recover those items.’