Police Scotland has launched a murder enquiry following the discovery of a woman’s body in Inverness.
The body of 60 year old Elizabeth Muir on Thursday March 31 in her home in Kintail Court.
A murder investigation has now been launched to establish the full circumstances surrounding her death and police are appealing for information from the public.
Door to door enquiries are being carried out along with a review of CCTV footage.
DCI Keith Hardie of the Major Investigation Team said: “We are at the very early stages of the investigation and I am appealing to anyone who may have seen seen Elizabeth in the days leading up to Thursday.
“This lady has lost her life and we need to piece together the circumstances. I would encourage anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious to contact police.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to reassure the public that officers will be carrying out patrols in the area and anyone with any concerns should approach them.”
Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Kintail Court property where the body was found has a tragic history.
In July 2006, 50-year-old Brian Grant murdered hairdresser Ilene O’Connor and hid her body in his garden before going on the run.
A year later, a jury unanimously found him guilty of murder and he was jailed for a minimum of 14 years. He remains behind bars.
Miss O’Connor, 39, of Castle Heather Road, Inverness, who also worked on a supermarket checkout, was missing for a fortnight before police discovered her body.
She had suffered serious head injuries, 26 rib fractures and a smashed breast bone.
Grant had punched, kicked and stamped on her before attempting to hide her body.
At the High Court in Edinburgh judge Lord Clarke said Grant had “shown no mercy” for his victim during the “savage and brutal” attack.
Medical experts said Miss O’Connor may have lain in a coma for up to two hours before Grant strangled her.
He stripped her, stole her rings and attempted to clean up the mess in his home, which was next door to Ms O’Connor’s sick mother, Meg.
He hoped his work as a gardener would have enabled him to cover his tracks after he buried his victim in a shallow grave.
A jury unanimously found him guilty of murder. The court heard that he had an “appalling” criminal record.
Longstanding neighbours were shocked to learn of the latest death at the house, although few knew much about her Ms Muir, who they said lived quietly.
