A murder investigation has been launched after the body of a woman was found in an Aberdeen city centre flat.
The woman – who police say they believe was involved in the sex trade – was discovered on Friday afternoon.
Detectives and forensic officers spent the weekend scouring the flat on Union Terrace for evidence and carrying out door-to-door inquiries with neighbours.
It is understood the woman, who is thought to have been 30, had been renting the flat – and that she had only been there for three days.
Police confirmed late yesterday afternoon that they were treating her death as murder.
Detective Superintendent David McLaren, of the major investigation team, who is leading the inquiry, said: “Investigations are at a very early stage, however a line of inquiry at this time is the suggestion that the woman may have been involved in prostitution and as such Police Scotland is actively engaging with support groups nationally.
“We are looking to get safety advice out there for people involved in prostitution, asking them to vigilant.
“It would be good to send a message to women and men who are involved in prostitution to take care and heed safety advice.”
Among the support groups the police are consulting with for the case is Ugly Mugs, a UK-wide body dedicated to ending violence against sex workers.
The charity acts as a go-between if a prostitute feels they are in danger, but does not want to go the police directly themselves.
Det Supt McLaren added: “There is no doubt that this incident will raise concerns in Aberdeen and the wider community, but I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the public that a significant police investigation has commenced and all efforts will be made to trace the person or people responsible.
“A priority for us is establishing the woman’s recent movements, identify who she may have been in contact with and ultimately determine what happened to her prior to her being found on Friday afternoon.”
The block where the woman died, which is in between the TSB and Caledonian Hotel, was closely guarded at the front and back entrances and a police incident van sat outside throughout the weekend.
Neighbours were quizzed by detectives investigating the incident, which happened just weeks after a 21-year-old woman was raped in nearby Union Terrace Gardens.
Student Scott Wittmann, said: “I’ve lived here for six months, and it’s shocking – especially with the rape a few weeks ago.
“The police came round, and were asking really specific questions about how we kept our body hair and things like that, it was like they had a description or footage.
“They did say it was a rented property and that she’d only been there three days.”
A man who stayed in the woman’s neighbouring block, who did not wish to be named, said he had only discovered it was a murder when the detectives interviewed his flatmate yesterday.
He added: “It’s a bit of a shock. There was someone raped just across the road recently too, it’s not what you expect.”
Thousands of people passed through the Union Terrace area over the weekend as they enjoyed the nearby light show, Spectra – unaware of the circumstances of the massive police operation going on across the road from the gardens.
And Det Supt McLaren urged anyone who may have seen something, or who has any information, to come forward.
He said: “I am appealing for anyone who may have any information that would assist us with our inquiry to speak to us. We would ask that people remain vigilant and follow personal safety advice.
“We want to reassure the community that there will be a visible police presence in the area as we continue with our inquiries into this incident.”
Last night, Councillor Alan Donnelly admitted it was a “rare” incident to happen in Aberdeen, and urged people to be careful.
“There are a tremendous amount of cameras on Union Street and Union Terrace,” he said. “It’s a heavily residential area of the city.
“I’m confident that the police will be thorough and get to the bottom of it.”
Councillor Alex Nicol said his thoughts were with the victim’s loved ones, adding: “It’s always sad when someone dies suddenly or unexpectedly but more so obviously when they’ve been a victim of a very serious crime.”
Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.