Man Admits Murdering & Dismembering Woman

4 February 2019, 16:32

A man has admitted murdering a "vulnerable woman" and dismembering her body.

Andrew Wallace, 42, had been due to stand trial but pleaded guilty to killing 47-year-old Julie Reilly when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, police said.

Ms Reilly from Shieldhall Road in Govan, Glasgow, was reported missing in February last year.

Police said they have yet to recover all of her remains.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Bell, the senior investigating officer, said: "Julie Reilly was a vulnerable woman with complex health issues and Wallace deliberately sought to achieve her friendship and trust with a cover of befriending and caring for her.

"It became clear during this complex investigation that his motives were far from this.

"We will never know precisely what happened to Julie in her final moments but we do know, as has been shown today, she was murdered by Wallace.

"He dismembered her remains and without any thought for her or her family's dignity, sought to conceal Julie in order to evade detection.

"This was a callous and cruel plan that failed.

"Today, I pay tribute to those that selflessly came forward and to the wider communities of Glasgow in whose areas these shocking events unfolded.

"Their support and patience with my officers exemplify real community spirit."

The detective paid tribute to everyone involved in the investigation and to Ms Reilly's "tremendously brave and dignified family" and appealed to anyone with information which could help the investigation to contact him.

He said: "Notwithstanding today's outcome in court, we have yet to recover all of Julie's remains to provide her with dignity she deserves and to allow her family to grieve properly.

"I'm appealing directly to anyone who may have knowledge of where Julie is to engage directly with me.

"This will allow me to find her and bring peace to her family."

Wallace will be sentenced at a later date.