Police continue appeal after Rutherglen grandmother Ann Coll murdered days before Christmas

Police investigating the murder of a grandmother in South Lanarkshire just days before Christmas said she was the victim of a ‘violent’ attack.

Detectives confirmed they were treating the death of Ann Coll at a property in Rutherglen as suspicious following a post mortem on Christmas Eve.

The 61-year-old was found with serious injuries at a property on Newfield Place around 12.45am on Friday December 22.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A murder investigation is ongoing, led by detectives from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team.

On Friday, police confirmed that detectives were continuing to inspect CCTV footage, but no suspects or motives have yet been established.

Officers said that Ann had a small Collie dog and was a familiar character in her community as a well known dog walker.

Murder probe launched after death of 61-year-old Ann Coll STV News

The grandmother–of-eight had spoken to one of her three grown up children on the morning of the attack, which police described as “violent”.

Police confirmed that there is no wider threat to the local community.

Detective Chief Inspector Lynsey Watters said: “I’ve been able to build Ann’s movements whereby we know that she’s well known within the local community. She’s known for, not as just as a friend, as a neighbour, but she’s well known as the dog walker, she’s always out she’s got a small Collie dog and that she walks with we know and movements throughout the course of the day.

“She’s been out a couple of walks, she’s returned home about 8.30pm in the evening, and she’s not left at home address after that. She’s spoken to family members, she has been within her home and she has been safe and well that was round about 9.15pm.

“Ann was a loving mother and grandmother, she had been making arrangements for the Friday with her granddaughter she was looking forward to that.

“We’re at the appealing stage you know, our investigation is progressing well and we’re really grateful for the the public’s response.

“Our thoughts remain with Ann’s loved ones who have been left devastated by her death. As a family they should have been enjoying the festive season and instead are grieving a terrible loss. We continue to provide them with support at this very difficult time.

“We are fully committed to tracing the person or people responsible as soon as possible, and I am asking the public for their help.

“If you knew Ann or witnessed anything suspicious or unusual on the evening of Thursday, December 21, into the early hours on Friday, December 22, near to Newfield Place then please contact us as soon as possible. This area is one of the main routes from Rutherglen to the southside of Glasgow and has several bars and restaurants nearby. It would have been busier than usual due to the time of year.

“We have been carrying out extensive enquiries to piece together Ann’s movements and the circumstances leading up to her death. We are studying a wide range of CCTV from the local area and have been speaking to residents and friends of Ann. If you hold information and haven’t yet spoken to police, I ask you to get in touch with us urgently as it may be vital to our inquiry.”

Chief Inspector Gary Ferguson said: “We understand the local community will be concerned, but I would like to reassure them there is an additional policing presence in the area as our enquiries continue.

“If you have concerns or wish to pass information to the inquiry team, these officers can be approached at any time.

“I have no doubt that the answers lie within the community that the members of the community here can assess those with this investigation and encourage anybody to come forward.”

An online portal has been set up to allow members of the public to send information directly to the police. This can be accessed here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT23S45-PO1

Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 0110 of December 22, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.