Bodies recovered by police searching for missing woman and two-year-old daughter

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Police searching for a missing woman and her two-year-old daughter in Scotland have recovered two bodies.

Bennylyn Burke, 25, and her daughter, Jellica, were reported missing on 1 March.

Police Scotland saidthe bodies were discovered “concealed within a house” in Troon Avenue, Dundee, following “extensive enquiries by detectives and forensic experts”.

Post-mortem examinations will take place to establish the cause of death.

Formal identification has yet to take place, but relatives of Ms Burke have been informed of the discovery.

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Detective Superintendent Graeme Mackie, of Police Scotland’s major investigation team, 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.”

Officers in Dundee attended a property on Troon Avenue on 5 March as part of an enquiry into the disappearance of Ms Burke and two children who had been reported missing from South Gloucestershire on 1 March.

On 8 March, a 50-year-old man appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court charged with the murders of Ms Burke and Jellica.

The second child reported missing has been traced and is being supported, police said.