Fresh Crimewatch appeal in bid to find Suzanne Pilley's body

Suzanne Pilley disappeared in May 2010

A fresh Crimewatch appeal has been made to try and find the body of murdered Edinburgh woman Suzanne Pilley.

The 38-year-old was killed by her ex-partner David Gilroy in 2010 and is believed to be buried somewhere in Argyll.

However, Gilroy has refused to admit the crime or reveal the location of her body.

Police Scotland said that being able to give Suzanne a proper funeral would be "massive" for her family after going through "so much grief over the past 14 years".

Gilroy was convicted of Suzanne's murder in 2012 and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Suzanne's father Rob passed away in February 2019 without ever knowing where his daughter was buried.

Det Ch Insp Bob Williamson told Crimewatch: "Unfortunately Suzanne's dad didn't survive long enough for her to be found and it's something that has been really important for Police Scotland, to recover Suzanne.

"We are just hoping that a member of the public will just think 'maybe that bit of information I've got is important' and let's bring Suzanne back to the family.

"They have been so strong for all this time and put up with so much grief for the past 14 years - obviously that has caused a lot of stress and to be able to bring Suzanne home and give her a proper funeral would be a massive, massive thing for them."

Suzanne Pilley was reported missing after failing to turn up for work in 2010

Suzanne was last seen on 4 May 2010, leaving her home on Whitson Road, Edinburgh.

The bookkeeper was later reported missing after failing to arrive at her work in the city's Thistle Street.

Detectives believe Gilroy killed her in the basement of the building where they both worked after he confronted her over Suzanne ending their affair and lost his temper.

That night, Gilroy arranged an appointment in Lochgilphead, Argyll, and drove there the following day, which is when police believe he moved her body.

Detectives used CCTV to map his movements and established that, en route and on his way back to Edinburgh, the killer turned off his phone between Stirling and Inveraray.

Police previously searched the Rest and Be Thankful and Argyll Forest areas, but have never found her body.

David Gilroy was jailed for a minimum of 18 years in 2012

Damage to the underside of Gilroy's car and vegetation attached to it suggested he travelled off-road.

Det Ch Insp Williamson said: "You certainly wouldn't expect to see a silver Vauxhall Vectra driving down one of those roads. If you did see that, and it jumped out to you that day, then we need to know where that was.

"There was also the possibility that there was a red and white golf umbrella on the back parcel shelf, which may have been obvious."

Gilroy has repeatedly claimed to be innocent and has appealed to have the case reopened.

In 2020 Suzanne's sister Gail Fairgrieve told BBC Scotland that the family was "in a state of limbo" until her body was found and they could give her a proper funeral.

Anyone with any information should contact Crimewatch.