A BODY found at a shallow grave is believed to be missing David Baird who vanished almost three years ago.

 

Skeletal human remains were discovered by horrified workers who were digging at an industrial site.

Mr Baird, 54, from Blantyre was last seen walking towards Cambuslang around 6.45pm on Saturday, June 16 2012.

The discovery has ended almost three years of agony for his family, including his sister, Phyllis Ansell, who appealed for him to come home.

In 2012, she told the Evening Times: "I just want him home, safe and sound. We all miss him terribly."

Police have not yet said how long the remains have been in Dale Avenue, Cambuslang, close to the River Clyde.

But the remote spot is almost seven miles away from where Mr Baird was last seen.

Analysis of bone development and other samples helped detectives identify the body.

Ms Ansell, now 61, was joined by Mr Baird's cousin, Phillip Baird, as they appealed for information two weeks after he was last seen.

Police also described him as "vulnerable".

As reported in late editions of yesterday's Evening Times, detectives were probing missing person cases in a bid to identify the remains.

A police spokeswoman said: "Inquiries are continuing following the discovery of a body in Dale Avenue in Cambuslang.

"Following forensic examination, Police Scotland can confirm the body is male and has been in situ for a considerable time.

"Inquiries continue to establish the identity of the man and circumstances surrounding his death.

"The death is currently being treated as unexplained.

"Further forensic tests have still to be carried out to establish the identity of the man.

"However, following initial inquiries, police believe the body to be that of 54-year-old David Baird, missing from Blantyre since June 2012.

"Police are currently liaising with Mr Baird's family."

Forensic officers in white protective suits, uniformed officers, and detectives have been carrying out investigations at the scene close to the the former Hoover factory.

The alarm was raised on Tuesday and cops swooped on the secluded spot, near Bogelshole Road.