The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Man to appear in court over death of Annalise
Police say 24-year-old charged after body found at side of road
A man is due to appear at Perth Sheriff Court today after being charged in connection with the death of Annalise Johnstone.
The 22-year-old was found dead in a wooded area at the side of a rural Perthshire road, more than 80 miles from her home in Ardrossan, Ayrshire.
Last night senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent James Smith, of the Major Investigation Team, said: “I can now confirm that we have charged a 24-year-old man in connection with the alleged murder of Annalise Johnstone, whose body was found in a wooded area at the roadside of the B8062 between Auchterarder and Dunning on Thursday 10 May.
“Our thoughts continue to be with Annalise’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
After weeks spent examining the scene where her body was found, as well as 10 other locations across Tayside, police yesterday confirmed her death was being treated as a murder inquiry.
The investigation has focused on sites in rural Perthshire, as well as two houses in Auchterarder and one in Inchture, where a car linked to the inquiry was traced.
One of the Perthshire sites is Maggie’s Wall monument, near Dunning. A Toolstation store on Kings Cross Road, Dundee, was also sealed off.
Until yesterday, police had said Annalise’s death was “suspicious” but they would not confirm her cause of death or say if she had come to harm at the hands of another person.
Mr Smith had earlier said that “a number of inquiries are being carried out at locations across Tayside as part of our investigations into her death”. He added: “Inquiries have necessitated the closure of the B8062 and I am grateful for the patience of local residents and motorists while this work is being carried out.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank members of the public for their assistance during this investigation.”
Annalise, 22, a member of the Ardrossan Travelling community, was found dead in a wooded area by the side of the B8062.
She had left her Ayrshire home in a silver Ford Galaxy the previous day and was last seen in Auchterarder around 10pm that night.
Her father had said she had travelled to the town to babysit for her brother.
That car was later traced on the driveway of a home in Inchture, not far from Dundee.