The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Annalise death site searched again by police
PROBE: Officers return to area where young woman was discovered with throat cut
Police have returned to the area in Perthshire where a young woman was found with her throat cut last year.
Officers were spotted close to a witch’s memorial near Dunning, where Annalise Johnstone’s body was found by hill walkers in May last year.
The 22-year-old was discovered near a drystone dyke on a rural road.
Annalise’s brother Jordan was acquitted of killing her earlier this year following a week-long trial at the High Court in Livingston.
His ex-girlfriend Angela Newland was also acquitted.
Locals reported police activity around the back road between Dunning and Auchterarder last week. Some of it appeared to be centred on an area near the Maggie Wall memorial, where prosecutors had alleged Mr Johnstone cut his sister’s throat.
Annalise’s father Gordon has said detectives missed their chance to find conclusive evidence the first time round, and accused the force of not taking the case seriously because she was a member of the Travelling community.
Mr Johnstone, of Fauldhouse in West Lothian, said: “This is the first I’m hearing about it but it’s not surprising.
“However, I’ve lost all faith in the police being able to find out what happened and the Crown getting a successful prosecution.
“I don’t think it’s ever been treated seriously enough because Annalise was a Traveller.”
Police Scotland confirmed officers completed their search of the area after they were sighted on Thursday by a passing driver.
A spokesperson said: “Search activity was ongoing in the Dunning area in connection with the death of Annalise Johnstone in May 2018.
“The search has now been concluded, but there will be no further update due to operational reasons.”
During court proceedings, Mr Johnstone admitted burning bloodstained clothes while burying the weapon which may have linked him to the death.
A jury found the 25-year-old not proven of Annalise’s killing, and he was also cleared by judicial direction of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
Angela Newland also denied murdering Annalise and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
Lady Scott proceeded over the trial and acquitted Ms Newland, citing insufficient evidence to convict her before the Crown then withdrew all other charges against her.