Scottish police have confirmed the identity of a woman whose dismembered body was found in a shallow grave in Edinburgh on June 6th last.
They will not be in a position to name her until next of kin have been informed. The body had been discovered on Corstorphine Hill in the city.
Det Chief Insp Keith Hardie of Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team said: "Identifying the victim was the first priority of this murder investigation, and I would like to thank the public and the media for their help in achieving that aim.
“While this is positive news, it also means that a loved one has been lost. We are progressing our inquiries into the circumstances of this woman’s death and to finding those responsible for it.”
It is anticipated that police will not be in a position to name the victim until Monday next week.
Police had received over 30 calls, from as far afield as Israel, after releasing a facial reconstruction image of the woman.
Det Chief Insp Hardie said: “The initial response to the release of the facial reconstruction image has been very encouraging. We have received more than 30 calls, from people as far away as Israel, suggesting a possible identity for the woman and each of these calls will be followed up by the team of officers dedicated to this case.
“I would like to thank the media for helping us circulate this reconstruction and the public for their response so far. We will be circulating the image widely and detectives will be taking it round homes and businesses in the Corstorphine Hill area.
“Somebody knows who this woman is. We need that person to see this image, to recognise the face and to make that call.”
The facial reconstruction was produced by experts at University of Dundee using CT scans of the woman's skull. Similar images of Mary Queen of Scots, Robert Burns and Richard III have been produced by the same method.
The woman was white, aged between 32 and 60, about 5ft 2in and of medium build. Detectives say she had extensive dental treatment done and details of her implants and veneers have appeared in trade publications to try to jog dentists’ memories.
Images of her distinctive jewellery including two gold rings set with precious stones, one in a daisy shape and the other an Irish Claddagh ring, have also been released.
DCI Hardie said officers hope the image of her face is the “final piece of the jigsaw”.
He said: "From a very early stage we've linked in with Europol and Interpol, and passed on the initial general description of this lady which wasn't necessarily that specific. But we'll go back now with the latest information and this facial image, but I think it's important we concentrate within our own country and the UK as well as having one eye on abroad.
“We’ve also made good progress around the significant dental work that’s been done, and the facial reconstruction is another thing that we hope could be the final piece of the jigsaw.”
No DNA of any potential suspect has been uncovered as yet, but forensic analysis is continuing, police said.
PA