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Skull of missing accountant found Skull of missing accountant found
(about 2 hours later)
The skull of missing Glasgow accountant Andrew Ramsay has been found in the Firth of Clyde, police have confirmed.The skull of missing Glasgow accountant Andrew Ramsay has been found in the Firth of Clyde, police have confirmed.
Mr Ramsay was last seen on the evening of 22 February, 2006 when he was abducted from outside his home in Berryknowes Road, Cardonald.Mr Ramsay was last seen on the evening of 22 February, 2006 when he was abducted from outside his home in Berryknowes Road, Cardonald.
Since then, extensive inquiries were undertaken in an effort to trace the businessman. The skull was found in the nets of a fishing boat on 5 April, which was trawling the Firth.
The skull was found by a fishing boat off the island of Cumbrae on 5 April. DNA tests later confirmed its identity. The fisherman who made the discovery said he believed it had been dropped near the island of Little Cumbrae.
Det Supt William Prendergast, of Strathclyde Police, told a news conference that there were many questions still to be answered about what happened to father-of-two Mr Ramsay. The identity of the skull was later confirmed by DNA tests. It marked the culmination of an extensive police search for the father-of-two.
Det Supt William Prendergast, of Strathclyde Police, told a news conference that there were many questions still to be answered about what happened to Mr Ramsay.
What I will say is that it is certainly an unexplained death and I am really very keen to find out what exactly has taken place William PrendergastStrathclyde PoliceWhat I will say is that it is certainly an unexplained death and I am really very keen to find out what exactly has taken place William PrendergastStrathclyde Police
However, he said that police were not treating the case as murder at this stage.However, he said that police were not treating the case as murder at this stage.
Det Supt Prendergast added: "I could not stand in front of you and say that the crime we are investigating here is murder.Det Supt Prendergast added: "I could not stand in front of you and say that the crime we are investigating here is murder.
"What I will say is that it is certainly an unexplained death and I am really very keen to find out what exactly has taken place to build up a picture so that we can bring closure to this inquiry.""What I will say is that it is certainly an unexplained death and I am really very keen to find out what exactly has taken place to build up a picture so that we can bring closure to this inquiry."
Mr Ramsay, 52, was handcuffed and thrown into a dark-coloured car by two men claiming to be plain-clothed fraud squad police officers.Mr Ramsay, 52, was handcuffed and thrown into a dark-coloured car by two men claiming to be plain-clothed fraud squad police officers.
It emerged that the businessman, who had a background in accountancy but had been unemployed for six months before he vanished, had previously been interviewed by customs officers.It emerged that the businessman, who had a background in accountancy but had been unemployed for six months before he vanished, had previously been interviewed by customs officers.
'Particularly sad day''Particularly sad day'
Mr Ramsay's relatives have been informed of the discovery. They were said to be in "absolute turmoil" at the news.Mr Ramsay's relatives have been informed of the discovery. They were said to be in "absolute turmoil" at the news.
Det Supt Prendergast said: "Andrew had been interviewed on several occasions by officers from HM Revenue and Customs. There was never any trial set in relation to those interviews.Det Supt Prendergast said: "Andrew had been interviewed on several occasions by officers from HM Revenue and Customs. There was never any trial set in relation to those interviews.
"As to whether that has anything to do with his disappearance or not, there's no evidence to suggest that."As to whether that has anything to do with his disappearance or not, there's no evidence to suggest that.
"That was an unusual occurrence in his life. Andrew had no criminality in his history. He was unknown to police.""That was an unusual occurrence in his life. Andrew had no criminality in his history. He was unknown to police."
Mr Ramsay worked with small businesses and was well liked, Det Supt Prendergast added.Mr Ramsay worked with small businesses and was well liked, Det Supt Prendergast added.
The detective said: "This is a particularly sad day for me in the fact that for the past 15 months both myself and indeed the family have always lived in the hope that we would find Andrew safe and well.The detective said: "This is a particularly sad day for me in the fact that for the past 15 months both myself and indeed the family have always lived in the hope that we would find Andrew safe and well.
"Unfortunately that's not the case. My heart at this moment goes out to his family, friends and loved ones who are in absolute turmoil, as you can imagine.""Unfortunately that's not the case. My heart at this moment goes out to his family, friends and loved ones who are in absolute turmoil, as you can imagine."
The skull, which was found in an advanced stage of decomposition, will undergo further tests.The skull, which was found in an advanced stage of decomposition, will undergo further tests.
It was found by fisherman Gordon Brown, who said the skull was the first thing that fell out of his boat's nets when they were trawling in the Firth.
Mr Brown said he did not believe the skull could have been carried to the location it was found by currents.
He added: "I would imagine where we caught it was where it had been dropped.
"It wasn't particularly grisly because it was only the top half of the skull and there was no jaw bone or features on it. All the hair and skin had gone."
The fishermen contacted police from the boat before returning to dry land. Mr Brown said it was impossible to say with pin-point accuracy where the skull had been picked up.
Detectives have interviewed more than 1,000 people, taken 300 statements and pursued 1,300 lines of inquiry since Mr Ramsay disappeared.Detectives have interviewed more than 1,000 people, taken 300 statements and pursued 1,300 lines of inquiry since Mr Ramsay disappeared.
Bundled into a car
They have also visited the accountant's associates in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Belgium in the hunt for a breakthrough in the case, which experienced detectives have said is one of the most frustrating they have encountered.They have also visited the accountant's associates in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Belgium in the hunt for a breakthrough in the case, which experienced detectives have said is one of the most frustrating they have encountered.
The abduction was featured on BBC's Crimewatch programme and a £5,000 reward for information leading to his recovery was offered.The abduction was featured on BBC's Crimewatch programme and a £5,000 reward for information leading to his recovery was offered.
The police inquiry had been scaled back in recent months due to a lack of information.The police inquiry had been scaled back in recent months due to a lack of information.
Mr Ramsay was bundled into a car after returning on foot from an evening with partner Beverley Sinclair in the Quo Vadis pub in Paisley Road West, Glasgow.Mr Ramsay was bundled into a car after returning on foot from an evening with partner Beverley Sinclair in the Quo Vadis pub in Paisley Road West, Glasgow.
After visiting the G101 Off Sales shop at about 1900 BST, the couple made the short walk to his home before his abductors handcuffed him and took him away.After visiting the G101 Off Sales shop at about 1900 BST, the couple made the short walk to his home before his abductors handcuffed him and took him away.
A Honda Accord was seen travelling on Paisley Road West at Hillington Road South at about the time Mr Ramsay was last seen.A Honda Accord was seen travelling on Paisley Road West at Hillington Road South at about the time Mr Ramsay was last seen.