Only small number of calls to police over death of missing woman near Edinburgh
Detectives investigating the death of a woman whose body was found in the grounds of a mansion have said only a small number of calls have been received following a public appeal for information.
Detectives investigating the death of a woman whose body was found in the grounds of a mansion have said only a small number of calls have been received following a public appeal for information.
The discovery on January 9 in the Gogar area of Edinburgh prompted a major police investigation involving a detailed forensic examination of the area, including parts of a golf course.
Police Scotland confirmed last week that the body had been identified as Saima Ahmed, from London, who had been reported missing by her family to the Metropolitan Police in August last year.
The 36-year-old's death is being treated as unexplained.
A UK-wide appeal for information was launched in an attempt to establish the exact journey she took between the two cities, and what took her to the area where her body was found off Gogarstone Road.
The ongoing police investigation has led detectives to believe she most likely travelled to Scotland by rail on Sunday August 30 last year.
Her exact route is unknown but police believe she may have travelled to Hemel Hempstead, Birmingham and then on to Edinburgh.
She was Asian, about 5ft 5in, of medium build, with shoulder-length, straight dark hair. She was last seen wearing a dark long V-neck top, black trousers, black shoes and a black jacket.
Detective Chief Inspector Martin MacLean, head of crime operations for Edinburgh CID, said: We have received only a small number of calls since we launched our appeal last week, which demonstrates the challenges we continue to face given the amount of time that has passed since Saima was reported missing.
Saima's death remains unexplained as we continue to carry out various lines of inquiry.
We're committed to doing everything possible to establish the circumstances surrounding her death and I thank the people who have come forward thus far.
Today, I again ask anyone who has information that might assist with our ongoing investigation to contact police immediately.
There are a number of matters we are working hard to establish and I believe the public will hold the answers. Even the smallest piece of information could have a huge impact in the wider context of the investigation.''