AN elite murder squad is now looking into the disappearance of a Govan woman who has been missing for two months.

Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Teams (MITs) have been tasked with finding out what happened to missing Julie Reilly, who was last seen on CCTV at Aldi on Paisley Road West in Cardonald on February 6.

Glasgow Times:

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Bell, above, said: “I cannot exclude that something something sinister has happened to her but it my absolute wish and sincere hope that I find Julie alive and well.”

The decision to involve MITs comes after forensic officers this week searched the 47-year-old’s Govan home, just off Shieldhall Road, which is a property she moved into after leaving Penilee following a brain injury.

DCI Bell said: "Julie’s past is something I am investigating very thoroughly She has had a number of issues in the past.

"I have to look at basically how Julie has and still does live her life, that is where the answers are for me in finding Julie alive and well."

He added: "The forensic search is ongoing and will continue until I am satisfied that we have got all the information from that address. "I will use every resource available to me within Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority in terms of our forensic capabilities to make that nothing untoward has happened in that house."

Glasgow Times:

DCI Bell was joined by Julie's mum Margaret Hanlon, 69, and sister Lynne Bryce, 36, above, who read out an emotional statement.

Mum-of-three Margaret, 69, who is from Auchinleck in Ayrshire, said: "Please, please if you are out there somewhere, Julie, please let us know you are ok.

"We are all so sick with worry for your safety. We love you so much, hen, and need you back here at home safe with us."

She added: "If anybody anywhere knows of Julie's whereabouts please don't let us go on like this.

"I'm begging you from the bottom of my heart.

"Julie is a daughter, a mother, a sister, an auntie and a grandmother to a beautiful grandson who turned one in February."

Glasgow Times:

The family previously revealed exclusively to The Evening Times that Julie had been recovering from a brain injury.

It is unclear how Julie developed the injury but she spent several months in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital before she moved to the Graham Anderson House which is a specialist neurobehavioural assessment and post-acute rehabilitation hospital.

During this time, Julie kept in touch regularly with her family, speaking to her mum on the phone most days.

But after missing an NHS appointment, the alarm over her whereabouts was raised.

Glasgow Times:

Margaret said: "We all need her home. Julie never misses appointments. This is not Julie. She would be with us now if she was able.

"Any friends anywhere, even if we don't know you, please if you know anything , no matter how small, please get in touch with the police.

"It could help a lot and bring Julie back to us."

Glasgow Times:

Julie's sister Lynne

The Evening Times previously revealed that Julie had a difficult past in her hometown of Auchinleck and moved to Glasgow more than 15 years ago.

DCI Bell, however, insisted that the search for her will be focused in Glasgow's South West and City Centre.

He said: "The search is very much focused on the Greater Glasgow area of Shieldhall, Cardonald, Govan, Penilee and city centre.

"We will do enquiries in Auchinleck but my focus firmly is within the Greater Glasgow area."

Police Scotland admitted that they are still assessing information on Julie's digital footprint such as bank cards etc. The force is also reviewing hours of CCTV footage in a bid to find out what happened to her after she left the Aldi supermarket.

DCI Bell said: "Julie has never gone missing before. For me at this time, I don't see an obvious trigger as to why Julie would go missing. That is what forms some of my concerns. "

The key to finding Julie could still come from the public in this investigation. She was well-known in the area she lived in.

DCI Bell said: "If someone does know something about Julie's welfare in terms of where she might currently be right now or the circumstances in which have lead to her disappearance, I would ask that person to really consider their conscious and to contact the police.

"Come forward, tell me what they know and it is my sincere hope that I find Julie alive and well."

What are Police Scotland doing to find Julie?

POLICE Scotland held a stop and speak operation on Shieldhall Road, close to where Julie lives this week.
The force revealed that they choose buses on routes Julie used for officers to engage with the public.
A total of 216 people were spoken to which resulted in some leads for the detectives investigating the case. 
DCI Bell also said that forensic examination of Julie's home address will continue. 
He said: "There is a significant volume of investigations going on in the background. 
"We will look at all lines of enquiry. I have a large and dedicated enquiry team for this investigation.
"We will continue on for as long as it takes to get the answers we need for Julie and more importantly for Julie's family."
He added: "The public should not be concerned that we are in Julie's house. The public should feel encouraged that we are taking this investigation as seriously as we are."

Glasgow Times:
Previously, Inspector David Lammie, above, who is based at Govan Police Station, was one of the local officers leading the search for Julie. 


He held a stop and speak operation outside the Aldi supermarket where she was last seen in Cardonald.
Glasgow City Centre is also a focus for the cops tasked with this investigation and her missing person poster has been dispersed within the voluntary third sector and support networks.

Glasgow Times:

Timeline of Julie's disappearance:


December 25:
Julie sent a text message to her mother on Christmas Day to wish her a 'Merry Christmas'. This was the last family contact with the missing woman.


February 6:
Police enquiries revealed that the last CCTV sighting of missing Julie was at Aldi supermarket on Paisley Road West in Cardonald. A CCTV image of Julie was also verified by staff working at the store who knew the missing woman.


February 15:
NHS staff raised the alarm that Julie was missing after she failed to attend an appointment. She had never missed an appointment prior to this.


March 20:
Police Scotland officers carried out an operation outside the Aldi store in Cardonald. They spoke to members of the public and asked them when they last saw Julie.


April 5:
Bus passengers travelling on services on Shieldhall Road were questioned by officers investigating the case. More than 200 members of the public were spoken to during the stop and interview operation. 


April 6:
Police Scotland's Major Investigation's team announce they are now involved in the enquiry into Julie's disappearance. The elite squad usually lead the way in murder investigations. 

Glasgow Times:

How can you help?

THE national charity Missing People launched a poster to help find Julie.

Anyone who has information about her whereabouts can contact them if they do not wish to speak to Police Scotland.

The charity's appeal states: "Julie we are here for you whenever you are ready; we can listen; talk you through what help you need, pass a message for you and help you to be safe."

You can contact Missing People if you have information about Julie's whereabouts by calling or texting 116 000.

This number is free and confidential, and it operates 24 hours a day.

You can also e-mail 116000@missingpeople.org.uk or write to FREEPOST Missing People.

Police Scotland can also be contacted if you have information which could help find Julie.

Contact Govan Police Office via 101, quoting incident number 2057 of Thursday February 15 2018. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Read more on The Evening Times on Julie: