As Mary McLaren’s family await formal identification of a body found in Dundee, questions are being asked about why it took two weeks to locate her.
A woman’s body was found in undergrowth on Wednesday, just 150 yards from where Mary was last spotted and the same distance from the city’s police headquarters.
McLaren family friend Janet Brody said: "I'm a bit freaked out by it. I certainly won't be walking the streets on my own at night time. I'll be in a group of people just in case.
"When I used to go out, I would often walk home on my own but I certainly won’t be doing that again, I'll be making sure everyone knows where I am and I’ve got someone with me at all times.
"I think it’s disgraceful that it’s taken them two weeks to find her when you think it’s only a short walk from the last place she was seen.
"You'd think this would’ve been one of the first places they’ve looked."
She added: "My mum was speaking to her (Mary's) sister and her mum yesterday, just asking them how they were.
"Obviously they're distraught by the whole thing. It’s a shame."
Formal identification of the woman’s body is expected to be made on Friday.
It could be a number of weeks before the cause of death is determined from a post-mortem examination.
A man seen dancing with Mary on the night she died was continuing to help officers with their enquiries on Thursday having been remanded in custody for a separate incident in a different police area.
