Police are searching a remote area near Dunoon in a bid to find the remains of a woman who was brutally tortured and killed in Ayrshire 11 years ago.
Lynda Spence, 27, was murdered at a house in West Kilbride in 2011 and two men, Colin Coates and Philip Wade, were convicted of her killing in 2013 and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Her body was never found but Police Scotland today comfirmed that officers are currently carrying out a detailed assessment of a remote area near Dunoon, Argyll.
Search work is set to get underway to establish if Lynda’s remains are within this area.
Detective Superintendent Suzanne Chow, of the major investigation team, said: “This detailed work involves Police Scotland detectives, local policing officers and specialist search teams, supported by forensic scientists and experts from across the United Kingdom.
“The operation is expected to take some considerable time due to the nature of the ground and remote location.
“Lynda’s family have been informed of this development and officers are supporting them during this difficult time. We will keep them updated as the work continues.
“There will be a significant police presence in the area as this operation continues and I would like to thank the local community for their co-operation at this time.
“I would ask anyone with information to please come forward and speak to officers.”
Lynda, an accountant, was living in Ruchill, Glasgow, when she vanished on April 14, 2011. That same day, she arrived at what was to become a chamber of horrors at 114 Meadowfoot Road, West Kilbride.
Her thumb was cut off with loppers, the tip of her finger was sliced off, her toes were crushed and she was burnt with an iron and battered in a bid to obtain financial information. Police believe she was killed on April 28.
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