Missing Margaret may be victim ‘of something sinister’
Police voice concern for woman last seen in 1999
‘She could have come to harm’
DETECTIVES searching for a missing woman last seen 17 years ago fear something ‘sinister’ may have happened to her.
Margaret Fleming disappeared from the bungalow she shared with friends in Inverkip, Renfrewshire.
The 36-year-old’s carers – Edward Cairney, 75, and Avril Jones, 56 – told benefits staff she had gone missing last October. But she has not been seen by anyone other than them since 1999.
Police yesterday said a five-month search of the five-bedroom house and garden has concluded – but no trace of Miss Fleming has been found.
The garden was excavated during the probe. Nearby water and woodland were also searched by officers. Police followed leads to America and are attempting to contact every woman with the same name in the UK.
On the six-month anniversary of Miss Fleming being reported missing, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Livingstone, who is leading the inquiry, said: ‘It would be foolish not to consider that something sinister has happened.
‘That is still a consideration and has been a consideration from day one – but there is no evidence to suggest anything other than this is a missing person situation.
‘We have finished our examination of the house and grounds and are now poring over a number of documents to establish anything that can point us in the right direction.
‘A key focus for me is to speak to anyone who may have been in the house in Inverkip. I need you to get in touch.
‘We’ve been in touch with over 1,200 persons and agencies to ascertain information and, frankly, verify if Margaret is still alive. We await 200 outstanding responses.’
Mr Cairney and Miss Jones are continuing to assist police with their inquiries. Officers have said they told them that Miss Fleming was very private and had friends they did not know.
It is believed Miss Fleming previously lived with her father, Frank, nine miles away in Port Glasgow, until his death in October 1995.
She then lived with her mother and grandparents for two years before moving in with the carers. She has been estranged from her mother since then.
The last independent sighting of her was at a family gathering in December 1999.
Mr Livingstone said: ‘We remain in contact with Margaret’s mother, who understandably is shocked and distressed at her disappearance.
‘The strength of feeling and support from local residents has been welcomed. Whilst we are keeping an open mind, we cannot rule out the possibility she has come to harm in some way.
‘She could have had an accident – or even something more sinister.
‘We are continuing our inquiries within her family and friends, both in Scotland and overseas, to try to glean any more information that means we can trace her safe and well.’
He said no one has been charged and the case remains a missing person inquiry.