Murdered Suzanne Pilley’s family to make Crimewatch appeal

The family of a woman murdered eight years ago will appear on Crimewatch to appeal for information to help find her body.

Suzanne Pilley, 38, disappeared on May 4, 2010, after setting off on her usual journey to work in Thistle Street in Edinburgh city centre.

Colleague David Gilroy, now 55, was convicted of her murder in March 2012 and is currently serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 18 years behind bars.

The killer took her body in the boot of his car to a secret grave, believed to be in remote Argyll, but the location of her remains has never been found.

Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston and Ms Pilley's family will appear on BBC Crimewatch at 11am on Wednesday to appeal for information which could help them discover where her body lies.

Earlier this year the family spoke of the torment of not knowing where Ms Pilley's body lies.

Speaking in March her older sister Gail said: “Every time she's mentioned, you struggle with the fact she's not been found.

“It's hard to think about her because we just don't know where she is and that's the first thought that comes into your head when she's mentioned is just, 'where are you?'

“She wasn't treated with any dignity in her death, she was discarded and we just do not know where she is.

“That is just sometimes unbearable but we have to move forward and I would love to be able to just give her that funeral, that dignity that every person deserves, but unfortunately we can't do that.''

Suzanne's mother Sylvia added: “I feel, and my husband feels, that it's as if she didn't matter, and she's gone and we can't do anything about it.

“We have to rely on the public if they're out and about in that area, maybe dog walkers, and we've been fortunate with the forestry workers who've been very good.

“Any position that looks as if it's been disturbed they notify the police, and we're very grateful for that because we hope that one day she will be found.''

The jury in Gilroy's trial heard how the “deceitful and controlling'' killer was driven by jealousy, maintained a front of normality and embarked on a series of acts to cover up his crime.

The following day, he transported the book-keeper's body to Argyll before driving back to the capital.

Police believe her remains are hidden somewhere between Tyndrum and Inveraray, and say there are gaps of almost two hours on the outward journey and of around 90 minutes on the return journey in which they think he spent time hiding her body.

Gilroy, who insists he is innocent, has exhausted various routes of appeal in his case