A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of an Aberdeen mum whose burning body was found by firefighters opposite a road in Dyce at the weekend.
Rhys Bennett, 22, appeared in private at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, accused of striking Jill Barclay on the head by an unknown means.
Bennett, whose address was given as Ballingry, faced charges of murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
He made no plea and has been remanded in custody.
The 47-year-old mother-of-two was allegedly attacked as she walked home from a night out with a friend.
They’d attended the Adam Ant concert at the Music Hall on Aberdeen’s Union Street earlier, before travelling to the Spider’s Web pub on Dyce’s Station Road.
It’s understood that Mrs Barclay suffered a head injury some time after leaving the pub.
The man accused of killing her is believed to have been arrested later, somewhere in Fife.
Bennett was remanded in custody and will re-appear in the next eight days.
Floral tributes including bouquets of sunflowers have been laid at the alleged scene of crime.
The 47-year-old, who worked as a proposals engineer for oil and gas firm Petrofac, has been described by her employer as “much loved and respected”.
Almost £10,000 has been raised through a crowdfunding gofundme page to help Jill’s family cover the costs of her funeral.
More than 500 people have answered the online appeal and contributed whatever they can spare.
Coworker Phaedra Pritchard posted on the page: “I’ve had the honour to work with Jill over the past year. Her laughter and positivity were infectious.
“I can’t yet believe or comprehend what has happened. My heartfelt condolences to her partner, children, wider family and friends at this tragic time.
“You will be sorely missed by many Jill.”
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