Murder probe under way after woman’s body found.

Police bid to piece together final moments of Annalise Johnstone, 22

Police believe a young woman found dead on a rural Perthshire road may have been murdered.

The body of 22-year-old Annalise Johnstone was discovered on the quiet B8062 Auchterarder to Dunning road on Thursday afternoon.

Detectives are unable to say how she died, and are treating her death as suspicious. They are trying to piece together Annalise’s final moments and have made a public appeal to find her lime green mobile phone.

Annalise is said to have left her home in the Ardrossan area of Ayrshire at about 5pm on Wednesday.

She arrived in Auchterarder at 10pm and was found dead about 14 hours later.

The Courier yesterday revealed that a “bashed up” car was recovered from a housing estate at Inchture by police acting in connection with the inquiry.

A property in Raven Grove, Auchterarder, where Annalise is thought to have stayed, has been cordoned off.

The senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent James Smith of Police Scotland’s Major Investigations Team, said: “Officers are carrying out forensic examinations as well as reviewing CCTV and speaking to the local community in and around the area.

“Annalise was last seen near to Ruthven Court, Auchterarder, around about 10pm on Wednesday, having been dropped off there.”

He added: “I am also keen to confirm the movements of a silver coloured Ford Galaxy motor vehicle, registration mark ST67 HXL, which is linked to this inquiry.

“I would appeal to the public who may have seen this vehicle to also contact police.”

The car which was recovered from Inchture is the same one thought to have brought Ms Johnstone to the Perthshire area.

It is believed to have been damaged as a result of a previous incident.

Det Supt Smith said they are also looking to trace her iPhone 5s, which is lime green and was in a red flip-style case, and a small Marvel superheroes wallet.

“A clear bag of medication which is four to five inches in size, which will have a sticker on it with Annalise’s name, is also missing,” he added.

“Please get in touch with us even if you think your information may not be relevant to the inquiry; it may prove vital in establishing what has happened to Annalise.”

Ms Johnstone was a member of Scotland’s Travelling community.

Picture: Phil Hannah. A road closure was in place to allow an investigation into the death of Annalise Johnstone, whose body was found on the B8062.