McLaren family friend hits out over body search time

Janet Brody - a friend of missing Mary McLaren, whose body is believed to have been found in Dundee - says time taken to find her is 'disgraceful'.

A friend of Mary McLaren's family, who are anxiously waiting official identification of a body discovered in Dundee on Wednesday, has hit out at the length of time it took to find her.

Meanwhile, police say they are currently trying to establish the cause of death of the body - believed to be Mary's - found in the city's Marketgait.

Mary was last seen outside Fat Sams nightclub in the city in the early hours of Thursday February 25.

Police launched a search, released CCTV images of her last movements and quizzed clubbers about whether they had seen her.

They eventually discovered a woman's body on the city's North Marketgait, just 150 yards from where she was last seen and the same distance from the city's police headquarters.

Forensic investigations are continuing at the scene, and two double decker buses have been brought in to screen the area from view as police carry out their work.

McLaren family friend Janet Brody said: "I'm a bit freaked out by it. I certainly won't be walking the streets on my own at night time. I'll be in a group of people just in case.

"When I used to go out, I would often walk home on my own but I certainly won’t be doing that again, I'll be making sure everyone knows where I am and I’ve got someone with me at all times.

"I think it’s disgraceful that it’s taken them two weeks to find her when you think it’s only a short walk from the last place she was seen.

"You'd think this would’ve been one of the first places they’ve looked."

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She added: "My mum was speaking to her (Mary's) sister and her mum yesterday, just asking them how they were.

"Obviously they're distraught by the whole thing. It’s a shame."

Detective Chief Inspector Shaun McKillop, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: "Since Mary was first reported missing we’ve had two police family liaison officers working closely with her family keeping them informed on the progress of the enquiry.

"The family liaison officers spoke to Mary’s family yesterday afternoon and made them aware that a body has been found. Our thoughts are very much with Mary’s family at this time.

"My priority at the moment is to establish cause of death. In order to do this, a detailed and meticulous search of the area where the body has been found will be carried out. We also need to have the body medically and forensically examined.

"These are processes which can take time to complete and I appreciate the patience and co-operation of everyone whilst this is being done."

Meanwhile floral tributes have begun arriving at the scene.

Marketgait will remain closed eastwards between the Lochee Road roundabout and King Street while investigations continue. The Marketgait will remain open for vehicles travelling westwards.