She was found dead at a remote woodland spot.

 

Yet despite four arrests, an exhaustive investigation, and a Scotland-wide manhunt, the brutal murder of Emma Caldwell 10 years ago has remained unsolved.

When four Turkish men were arrested in connection with the 27-year-old's death on August 31 2007, her family believed their wait for justice might finally be over.

A decade on, the long-running case remains a mystery and there are fears the Caldwell family may never their day in court.

However, today the Evening Times can reveal cold case detectives are reviewing the unsolved killing.

Detective Superintendent Bobby Hendren, Homicide Governance and Review, told the Evening Times: "April 2015 will be the tenth anniversary of Emma's death.

"Her murder is still very much an open investigation which, as with other unsolved cases, is under constant review.

"We are committed to keep working on her case until we bring her killer or killers to justice."

Emma was a former stable girl, and happy teenager, who grew up in Erskine, Renfrewshire.

But in 1998, her elder sister Karen, died of cancer and within a year, Emma had become hooked on heroin and worked as a prostitute in Glasgow to feed her habit.

Emma was last seen on April 4 2005 near a women's hostel in the Govanhill area, at around 11pm.

Her body was discovered in woods near Roberton, Lanarkshire around a month later by a dog walker.

One police insider said: "Whoever committed this horrendous killing - and kept it a secret for 10 years - must remember there is no expiry date on justice."

It is believed Emma, who was strangled, may have spent her final night with the driver of a Skoda Felicia.

Detectives tracked down the owners of every Skoda Felicia in Britain after CCTV footage showed a woman entering one on the night Emma went missing.

However, none admitted to being in the Broomielaw area of Glasgow.

More than 2700 statements were taken as part one of Strathclyde Police's biggest murder investigations and finally four men arrested.

Huseyin Cobanoglu, now 63, from Irvine, Halil Kandil, 42, from Cadder, Abubekir Oncu, 39, from Springboig and Mustafa Soylemez, 44, were charged with strangling Emma at the Turkish Community Cafe in Glasgow's Bridge Street in 2005.

They were also accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice by dumping her body in woods.

However, within a year, the case had collapsed.

The Crown Office had 12 months from the date of the arrests, to set a trial date, but in July 2008, it emerged that prosecutors had been unable to do so within the deadline.

It was a massive blow to Emma's family, including parents, William and Margaret.

Despite a massive investigation, hundreds of interviews, thousands of man hours and a mass of speculation, they are still waiting.

Emma's killer - or killers - have never been found and the file on her murder is still open.

And even though a decade has elapsed, police and the Crown Office are still hopeful about the prospects of a " fresh" prosecution.

A Crown Office spokesman said: "COPFS maintains a database of cold case homicides.

"The Cold Case Unit works closely with Police Scotland to review these cases to ascertain if there are any new evidential developments, including advances in forensic techniques, which would assist in providing a basis for criminal proceedings.

"There is a risk of prejudicing fresh prosecutions by commenting further on individual cases or providing details on how a particular case is being dealt with.

"It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

The Evening Times understands around 8000 names remain on file and the case is being reviewed every 18 months by the specialist homicide governance review unit.

But, crucially, any potential suspects could still face trial for the murder.

TIMELINE

APRIL 4 2005: Emma was last seen alive close to the Inglefield Hostel in Govanhill.

MAY 8 2005: Emma's body is found at a remote woodland spot in Lanarkshire and a murder investigation was launched.

MAY 10 2005: Detective Superintendent Willie Johnston, who lead the inquiry, revealed Emma turned to heroin and prostitution after her sister died.

MAY 14 2005: More than 1000 posters were distributed by police in a bid to help the inquiry.

MAY 20 2005: Family issue final picture taken of Emma.

MAY 23 2005: A 60ft image of Emma was screened onto flats in the Gorbals, where Emma was often seen.

JUNE 14 2005: Emma's parents, William and Margaret, appear on BBC Crimewatch and appeal for information. CCTV images of Emma leaving the hostel were also released.

JUNE 23 2005: A £10,000 reward is offered to anyone who can help police find the killer.

JULY 9 2005: Detectives carried out an examination of a caravan in the Highlands, more than 170 miles away from where her body was found.

AUGUST 2005: Police begin collecting DNA samples from men who may have known Emma. Several cars - believed to be taxis - were also seized for forensic inspection.

SEPTEMBER 2005: Emma's parents visit the spot where her body was found and re-appeal for information.

DECEMBER 2005: Police appeal for the drivers of two cars seen near the spot where Emma's body was found to come forward.

JANUARY 31 2006: Emma's parents laid floral tributes at the spot where their daughter's body was found, on what would have been her 28th birthday.

MARCH 2006: It was revealed precious police time had been wasted by a hoaxer who claimed responsibility for the murder.

APRIL 2006: Police issue CCTV images of two vehicles they want to trace, which were spotted on the Broomielaw.

On the anniversary of Emma's disappearance, detectives again appealed for information.

AUGUST 31 2007: Four men are arrested in connection with Emma's death.

JULY 2008: The case against the four men collapsed.

MARCH 2012: One of the men accused of murdering Emma was jailed for 10 years for raping two women.

Huseyin Cobanoglu, a Turkish national, was convicted of two rapes and three sex attacks on prostitutes in Glasgow.

OCTOBER 2013: Turkish-born Halil Kandil, who was among the men arrested, settled out of court after suing police for £100,000.

He won the payout for false arrest after a three-year legal battle.