Police officers have found two bodies in hunt for missing 25-year-old woman
Police officers have found two bodies hidden in house as they hunt for missing 25-year-old woman and her daughter, two, while suspect, 50, faces double murder charge
- Police found two bodies in Dundee in search for Bennylyn Burke and Jellica, two
- The mother and two children went missing from Gloucestershire home in March
- The second child to disappear has been traced and is being supported by police
- Andrew Innes, 50, from Dundee, at sheriff court on March 8 accused of murder
Police have found two bodies hidden in a house in the hunt for a missing 25-year-old woman and her two-year-old daughter.
Officers found human remains concealed in a home in Dundee during the search for Bennylyn Burke and Jellica.
The mother and her two children were reported missing from their south Gloucestershire home on March 1, having been last seen on February 17.
The second child who vanished has been traced and is being supported by specialist police.
Andrew Innes, 50, from Dundee, appeared at sheriff court on March 8 accused of murder. He made no plea and was remanded in custody.
Officers found human remains concealed in a home in Dundee during the search for Bennylyn Burke and two-year-old Jellica
Neighbours of Bennylyn Burke in Bristol were being quizzed by police as officers in Dundee conducted inquiries
Police activity at a property in Troon Avenue in Dundee as the search for Bennylyn Burke continued last week
Detective Superintendent Graeme Mackie said: ‘This is a significant development in what has been a particularly challenging enquiry for everyone involved.
‘Bennylyn’s family have been informed of this development and we will continue to support them at this difficult time as our investigation continues.
‘The thoughts of everyone involved in this investigation are with them at this time. ‘I would like to thank the local community for their co-operation with what is a large and complex police operation involving many specialist resources from across Police Scotland.
‘There will continue to be a significant police presence in the area for some time and I would ask anyone with information to please come forward and speak to us.’
Ms Burke (pictured), a mother of two, is believed to have moved from the Philippines to Bristol around two years ago
Software engineer Innes is alleged to have bludgeoned Ms Burke to death with a hammer at his home in Dundee.
He is also alleged to have murdered the child by unknown means between February 17 and March 5 this year.
Ms Burke, Jellica and another child were reported missing to Avon and Somerset Police on March 1, having last been seen at her first floor flat in Kingswood.
A resident who stays on the ground floor of the block said police had been going door-to-door to inquire about the mother’s disappearance last week.
The neighbour said: ‘The police were here to ask about Bennylyn and what I knew about flat number seven. I didn’t know them.’
Other residents in the block had also been questioned by police about the disappearance of Ms Burke.
Neighbours in nearby streets were also questioned and suggested the block, which they understood to be social housing, was no stranger to the emergency services.
One said: ‘I was watching on the news on Sunday evening and they said a South Gloucestershire woman had been murdered and I thought that’s near me.
‘Then they said Kingswood and then Court Road and the next thing, a police detective knocked on my door to ask if we had seen or knew anything.
A police officer stands at the entrance to Troon Avenue in Dundee as the search for Bennylyn Burke continued on March 9
A 50-year-old man was arrested at a property in Troon Avenue, Dundee, in connection with the disappearance of Burke and her two-year-old daughter Jellica. Picture date: March 9
‘I didn’t know her or recognise her. The first I heard of it was on the news. I had heard people shouting at the flats in the middle of February and I think it was reported to the police.’
Local residents were also asked if they had seen a blue Renault car, like one seized by investigators in Ardler for further examination.
Neighbours admitted recognising the vehicle would be difficult given the road is a busy thoroughfare.
Innes allegedly used a hammer to murder Bennylyn and is accused of killing pre-schooler Jellica through ‘unknown means.’
Innes made no plea at Dundee Sheriff Court. A seven-year-old girl was found alive in the Dundee property and is being supported by police.
Flowers and a teddy bear left at the entrance to Troon Avenue in Dundee as the search for Bennylyn Burke continues
It is understood Ms Burke originally hailed from the Philippines and travelled to live in Bristol around two years ago.
She is understood to have had family members living in the United Kingdom and they have been informed as her next-of-kin.
Door-to-door inquiries have been carried out in the Ardler area of Dundee, where Innes lives in a £250,000 five bedroom house.
Detectives are trying to establish the full extent of Ms Burke’s movements in the period since she was last seen until Innes’ arrest.
Post mortem examinations will take place to establish the identities of the bodies and cause of death.
Ms Burke’s family have been told.
