A body found in Scotland last month has been formally identified today as a missing 36-year-old woman from Wembley.
Saima Ahmed, of Oakington Manor Drive, was last seen on August 30 last year and reported as missing by her family the following day.
Her remains were found in the Gogar area of Edinburgh on January 9 and was identified using specialist forensic techniques, including DNA analysis.
Investigating officers are treating her death as unexplained and have launched an appeal for information about her movements leading up to her disappearance.
On August 30 she was captured on CCTV entering Wembley Central station on her own before boarding a London Overground service to Watford Junction.
Her exact movements afterwards are not definite but officers believe she travelled to Hemel Hempstead, Birmingham and then onto Edinburgh.
Detective Chief Inspector Martin MacLean, from Edinburgh CID who is leading the investigation, said: “Today I am appealing to anyone who saw Saima on, or around, August 30 to please contact police immediately.
“I have met personally with Saima Ahmed’s family and have passed my condolences to them at this tragic and extremely difficult time.
“I have given them a commitment that we are doing everything we can to establish why Saima travelled to Edinburgh and the exact circumstances that led to her death.
“Clearly there are a number of matters and facts we have yet to establish and it remains a mystery to Saima’s family why she travelled to Edinburgh.
“I urge any regular rail users who may have been on these services to please think carefully and to get in touch with Police Scotland on 101 if you remember or spoke with Saima.
“I also want to hear from anyone who saw her in Edinburgh, or who can help explain how she made her way to the Gogarstone Road area, whether by tram, train, taxi, private hire car or any other means.”
In a statement issued through Police Scotland Miss Ahmed’s family said: “We, Saima’s family are extremely saddened and shocked by the death of Saima.
“She was a very loving and caring person who was part of a very close family.
“We are hoping someone can provide some information as to Saima’s journey and help us to understand what happened to her.”
Miss Ahmed travelled to Scotland on the penultimate day of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten was at the top of the charts.
It was also around this time that “We Are Your Friends” opened in UK cinemas and X Factor had returned to our screens the day before.
Anyone with information should contact Edinburgh CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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