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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Ruth Suter

Lynda Spence murder cops begin digging work in remote area of Dunoon as they search for remains

Police investigating the murder of Lynda Spence have commenced digging in a remote area in Argyll where they believe she could be buried.

The location is currently being combed by officers and CID in their efforts to recover the 27-year-old's remains.

Lynda was kidnapped, tortured and murdered in 2011, with two men convicted of her murder in 2013.

However 11 years on from her death, Lynda's body has yet to be found.

Forensic squads and experts arrived last month in a remote area near Dunoon, Argyll to carry out a search of the area.

Those inquiries have now been completed and teams are moving in to conduct digging work.

Police Search in Argyll Scotland searching for the body of Lynda Spence (DAILY RECORD)

Detective superintendent Suzanne Chow said: “A detailed assessment of the location has been completed and we have now commenced digging to further explore the site for potential evidence.

“This will be an extremely detailed operation, involving specialist search teams from Police Scotland, forensic scientists and soil experts from across the United Kingdom.

“The family of Lynda Spence are being kept updated as efforts to establish if her remains are within this area continue.

“I would ask anyone with information to please come forward and speak to officers.”

Lynda Spence. (PA)

Lynda was abducted and tortured for 13 days prior to her murder in April 2011 by killer Colin Coats.

Coats and pal Philip Wade, then aged 42, forced Lynda into a car in Glasgow's West End on April 14 before driving her to West Kilbride in North Ayrshire.

It was there where she was led into a Meadowfoot Road flat owned by friends David Parker and Paul Smith.

She was held hostage and tortured for more than a fortnight before sadistic Coats and Wade killed her.

Coats denied he had murdered Lynda claiming she was alive and well but was convicted following an 11-week trial in 2013.

The trial also heard evidence that Coats and Wade tried to borrow a boat after the murder.

Judge Lord Pentland said Coats was the 'prime mover' behind the 27-year-old’s kidnapping and that he is convinced of his 'devious and cruel personality'.

He got life with a minimum 33-year term and Wade will serve at least 30 years.

Two other men, David Parker and Paul Smith, were each jailed for 11 years for assaulting Ms Spence and holding her captive.

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