OAP found murdered in her home

Police follow ‘positive’ lead

TRIBUTES have been paid to an elderly woman who was found murdered.

Police Scotland said they were following a positive line of inquiry after Catherine Pryde, 74, was found at a property in the Engine Green area of Fishcross, Clackmannanshire, at around 7.35am on Mother’s Day.

Last night, tributes poured in for Ms Pryde, pictured, who is believed to have been a former social worker.

One resident told the Daily Record: ‘She really was such a lovely lady. She never passed without giving you a wee wave in the street. I think we’re all still a bit shocked that something like this could happen to her. She was honestly a lovely soul.’

One person posted: ‘Thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this sad time.’

Another resident told the Scottish Sun: ‘It’s pretty horrific. It’s such a quiet neighbourhood, you just don’t expect it. It’s just very sad. It’s also unsettling. We’ve just gone and got more CCTV.

‘This happens on television. It doesn’t happen in Fishcross. It’s such a quiet area. Hopefully the police will get to the bottom of it.’

One woman, passing on her condolences to the victim’s family on social media, described Ms Pryde as ‘a lovely neighbour’.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Police inquiries are continuing following the death of a 74-year-old woman in Fishcross on Sunday, March 19.

‘Around 7.35am, police received a report that Catherine Pryde had died within a house in the Engine Green area.

‘Following a post-mortem examination, the death was confirmed as murder and the investigation is ongoing.

‘Officers are following a positive line of inquiry and there is not thought to be any wider threat to the public.’