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Police identify head on the beach Police identify head on the beach
(20 minutes later)
The woman whose severed head and hands were found on a beach in Angus has been identified by police.The woman whose severed head and hands were found on a beach in Angus has been identified by police.
Tayside Police said the woman was a 36-year-old from Brechin who had been reported missing by her employer.Tayside Police said the woman was a 36-year-old from Brechin who had been reported missing by her employer.
Two young sisters discovered the head in a plastic bag at Arbroath on Tuesday. Officers later found two hands. Two young sisters discovered the head in a plastic bag at Arbroath on Tuesday. Police later found two hands.
A description of the victim issued on Wednesday is thought to have led to the discovery of her identity. A coastguard crew member discovered what is thought to be "human material" on the shoreline at Carnoustie on Wednesday night.
Police have said she was white, with brown eyes and shoulder-length brown hair. The material has been taken to the police mortuary in Dundee, where it will be forensically examined.
She had a distinctive circular scar on her forehead and light freckles over her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. Police said they had received hundreds of calls from concerned members of the public following the discovery at Arbroath.
The woman did not match any local missing person cases, so Tayside Police had been liaising with forces across the UK, as well as checking national and international databases. One call led to a flat in Brechin's South Esk Street, where the 36-year-old had been reported missing.
Forensic tests have been carried out on the body parts. Establishing the identity of this woman is the first step in a very complex and detailed inquiry Det Ch Insp Graham McMillan
The beach was closed following the discovery of the remains to allow a thorough police search to take place. Officers are trying to reach her family to inform them of her death.
It was reopened on Wednesday afternoon. Det Ch Insp Graham McMillan, who is leading the inquiry, said: "The flat in South Esk Street in Brechin has been sealed off and officers are currently searching the property.
"We will be speaking to a number of people over the course of the day in a bid to establish the woman's last known movements, when she was last seen, and to establish the circumstances of her death.
"Establishing the identity of this woman is the first step in a very complex and detailed inquiry."
He urged anyone with information to get in touch.