Forensic teams scour house as fears grow for missing mother and daughters
Police seal off home after arresting man over missing family
Forensic teams started taking apart a house in Dundee yesterday amid mounting concern for a missing mother and her children.
Officers investigating the disappearance of Benny lyn Burke ,25, arrested and charged a 50-year-old man at the fivebedroom detached house.
Bennylyn and two children, understood to be her daughters, had been reported missing after leaving their home in Bristol 17 days ago.
Witnesses inTro on Avenue, in the city’s Ardler neighbourhood, said they saw a man being taken away in handcuffs on Friday.
The street remained sealed off yesterday as teams of forensic officers in white suits entered the house. One used a video camera to film inside the kitchen and camera flashes were seen from behind closed blinds in every room of the house.
The kitchen windows were later covered by yellow plastic screens to block the view. Police also set up a large blue tent in the front garden while detectives made door- todoor inquiries.
Amy Whyte, 39, who lives nearby, said: “A forensics van and two police cars pulled up and taped everything off. It was quite scary.
“Police told us not to speak to anyone about it. I was asked if I saw or heard anything because my garden backs on to the street. I couldn’ t remember anything out of the ordinary. We’ve lived here for a year and it’s a quiet area.”
Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “Police told us it was a serious incident but we didn’t need to be concerned. I didn’t know what to think. Nothing like this has ever happened here.”
Police Scotland confirmed a link with the search for Bennylyn Burke, who was reported missing on March 1. She was last seen at her home in Bristol on February 17.
Her family were at her home in Staple Hill but declined to comment.
Avon and Somerset Police had previously appealed for information about Bennylyn and her two children, saying: “We’re increasingly concerned for her and her children’s welfare and are asking for anyone who sees Bennylyn or knows where she may be to contact us.”
Yesterday Avon and Somerset Police would not confirm if they had found Bennylyn and her children. A spokesperson said Police Scotland was now leading the investigation.
Detective Superintendent Graeme Mackie of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team ( MIT) said: “Officers in Dundee attended a property on Troon Avenue around 3.20pm on Friday as part of an enquiry into missing 25- year- old woman, Benny lyn Burke, and two children from South Gloucestershire.
“As a result, a 50-year-old man has been arrested in connection with this and enquiries are ongoing. Bennylyn’s next of kin have been made aware and are being supported by colleagues in Avon and Somerset Police.”
Det-sup Mackie said there would be an increased police presence at Troon Avenue over the coming days. He added: “We thank the local community for their co-operation at this time.”