DETECTIVES yesterday issued the last picture of a young woman taken by her parents just weeks before her murder.
Emma Caldwell's body was found two weeks ago by a person walking a dog in woods near Biggar, South Lanarkshire. She had turned to heroin and prostitution after the death of her sister, Karen, 31, from cancer six years ago.
Miss Caldwell, 27, is shown half smiling in the photograph, , but appears gaunt.
Police and her parents, William and Margaret, from Erskine, Renfrewshire, hope the picture will help trace the killer or killers.
Her parents said: "The photo was taken whilst out walking in an area of the countryside we all loved. The photograph is a good one of Emma and is how we remember her. This picture was taken in happier times. We love her and miss her so much, she was a gentle person who cared for people."
Detective Superintendent Willie Johnston, leading a 50strong inquiry team, said he hoped the "treasured picture" would provide a breakthrough.
He added: "I would urge those who may know something and have not yet spoken to police - no matter how trivial they may think it may be - to contact the incident room at Cathcart police office."
Miss Caldwell was last seen leaving Inglefield Street women's hostel in Govanhill, Glasgow, at 11pm on April 4 to walk down Butterbiggins Road towards Victoria Road.
In a separate inquiry, Strathclyde Police last night appealed for information on another prostitute who has been missing for nine days. Caroline McLean, 28, from Allison Street, was last seen near her home about 7.30pm on Wednesday, May 11.
She is 5ft 2in, slim, with long, dark brown hair, sallow complexion and dark brown eyes.
She was wearing a light blue denim jacket, a short denim skirt, a pink and white top and dark blue sandals.
A police spokesman said: "At this stage, there is nothing to link the missing woman with Emma Caldwell."
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