A murder investigation has been launched into the death of a pregnant teacher as officers search for her partner, Police Scotland has said, confirming that her unborn baby had also died.
The body of Marelle Sturrock, 35, who was due to give birth in the summer, was discovered on Tuesday morning at a property in the Craigton area of Glasgow.
Updating reporters on Thursday afternoon, Det Supt Nicola Kilbane said Sturrock’s partner, David Yates, was wanted in connection with her death, while officers continue to search Mugdock country park, a popular spot for families and dog-walkers just outside the city in East Dunbartonshire.
Kilbane said: “Officers attended her home address shortly after 8.40am on Tuesday 25 April and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Marelle was 29 weeks pregnant and I can confirm that sadly her unborn baby did not survive.
“Her partner, David Yates, is wanted in connection with Marelle’s death. At this time we have no information to suggest anyone else has been involved.”
Kilbane revealed that the last confirmed sighting of Yates was on Sunday shortly after 8pm “near to Mugdock Park”, and that his subsequent movements were unknown after his vehicle, a white Seat Ateca, was found at the park on Tuesday.
She added that there was nothing to suggest Yates had left the area, and that there is not believed to be any risk to the wider public. She was unable to give any indication of when Sturrock was killed.
“As you can imagine this is a very difficult time for Marelle’s family,” Kilbane added, asking for their privacy to be respected.
There is a large and continuing police presence at the park, which covers a significant area of often dense woodland. Police divers have been involved in the search and large areas of the reservoir have been cordoned off with police tape.
The headteacher of Sandwood primary school in Glasgow, where Sturrock worked, said her school community was devastated.
Fiona Donnelly said: “Marelle has been a much-loved member of our school community since her probationary year more than six years ago and has taught many year groups throughout her time at the school. We will all miss her so much. She was a lovely, kind, diligent and considerate person who loved and made time for everyone.
“Marelle used her artistic talents across the school and was our music champion who has been a key player in the success of our school choirs, with one of her classes going to see her on stage at the King’s [theatre] in one of her many acting roles outside of school.
“We are a school community in mourning and are devastated by the tragic news of her death and pass on our deepest condolences to her family and friends as we all come to terms with our loss.”
Parents at the school were told of the death in a letter on Wednesday and education psychologists are on hand to support pupils.
Sturrock moved from Wick, Caithness, to Glasgow when she was 17 to pursue a career in the performing arts and later became a primary school teacher after completing her postgraduate diploma in education.
The local amateur dramatics association Wick Players, which she attended as a teenager, remembered her as “a very talented young lady both with her singing and her acting”.
In a statement, the group said: “Some people have a light that shines from within, and Marelle’s talent shone through that aura and she followed her dream by doing drama and music studies at university. It is tragic that her young life has ended too soon but we at Wick Players will always love and remember her as one of our family.”
