Divers were searching a stream yesterday close to where the body of a young Inverness woman was found as police released details of her final movements.
Officers said they were still treating Charlotte Horby’s death as “unexplained” as they tried to piece together the events leading to her death.
Friends paid tribute to the 24-year-old, who was described as “the kindest, most beautiful person”, while her devastated family issued a photograph of her at her graduation from St Andrew’s University.
The former Fortrose Academy pupil’s body was found on Sunday evening in the Island Bank Road area.
The area, close to the local beauty spot at Ness Islands, is just a few hundreds yards from her family’s flat in Dores Road.
It is understood Miss Hornby was walking to the property in the early hours of Sunday morning after a night out in Inverness.
Officers said she was last seen by a friend heading towards Cavell Gardens at 3.25am on Sunday.
Her body was not found until 5.20pm that day.
Forensic officers spent several hours at the scene of the discovery on Monday and returned there yesterday for further searches.
Two police divers spent about an hour in a small burn close to where Miss Hornby’s body was found.
The pair arrived at noon and donned wet suits before going down the embankment and slowly navigating the burn.
After searching, the divers returned and a brown paper evidence bag was carried back to a police van parked on the other side of the road.
A fingertip search team was also involved in the operation which took place in an area thick with plants, trees and bushes.
Acting Chief Inspector Mark Czerniakiewicz said: “Charlotte was last seen at approximately 3.25am, when she parted company with a friend and was seen heading towards Cavell Gardens, near the war memorial.
“She was wearing a black leather jacket, black dress, black tights and carrying a tan coloured handbag.
“We would appeal to members of the public who were in the Ness Bank area and the Islands Bank Road area of Inverness at the time to please contact us on 101 with any information, no matter how insignificant they may consider it to be.”
A report on Miss Hornby’s death will be sent to the procurator fiscal.
The former geography student’s parents Harry and Patricia Hornby live in Fortrose and run a local accountancy consultancy.
The pavement at Island Bank Road remained cordoned off yesterday but floral tributes had been laid beside the wall, including one from Miss Hornby’s colleagues.
A card attached to the bouquet said: “To the life and soul of the party. Our thoughts are with you and your family.”
Friends also paid tribute on social networking sites.
Bruce Glendinning said: “To the kindest, most beautiful person I ever met, I’ll see you again one day, love you forever Char Bella.”
Fraser MacIntosh said: “Can’t believe it’s Charlotte. Fairly gutted, had some good laughs and drams together back in academy days.”
And Hannah Mackenzie said: “24 is far too young. RIP Charlotte. Such sad news.”
