Manhunt for fiancé of heavily-pregnant teacher Marelle Sturrock, 35, after her body was found in Glasgow flat

27 April 2023, 07:53 | Updated: 27 April 2023, 14:22

Heavily pregnant teacher, 35, Marelle Sturrock found dead at Glasgow home as cops hunt for missing person
Heavily pregnant teacher, 35, Marelle Sturrock found dead at Glasgow home as cops hunt for missing person. Picture: Facebook
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

Police are hunting for the missing fiancé of a heavily-pregnant teacher, who was found dead at her home in Glasgow on Tuesday morning.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Marelle Sturrock, 35, was discovered at her home in the Craigton area of the city after police received a "concern for person" call.

Police Scotland have launched an investigation, confirming that the death is being treated as suspicious.

They are also looking for Ms Sturrock's partner, who is missing, David Yates.

Read More: Police scour woodland and reservoir in hunt for fiancé of teacher Marelle Sturrock who was found dead at Glasgow flat

Read More: Watch budding singer Marelle Sturrock's heart-rending performance of 9 Crimes, as pregnant teacher found dead at home

Marelle Sturrock and her partner David Yates
Marelle Sturrock and her partner David Yates. Picture: Facebook

After discovering Marelle's body, officers sealed off parts of Mugdock Country Park in Milngavie, which is around nine miles away, as they searched for Mr Yates.

It is understood that the couple lived together.

Police search Mugdock Country park near Glasgow for dead woman's fiance

Read More: 'Treasure that photo!': Marelle Sturrock's sister shares poignant bridesmaid picture as fiancé manhunt continues

Read More: Thug who robbed man at knifepoint told victim he was 'lucky to work for a living' rather than 'having to steal'

Marelle, from Wick, Caithness, worked as a school teacher at Sandwood Primary and had moved to the city as an aspiring actress and singer.

Mr Yates is also a budding actor, according to his online profile, where he lists experience in local theatre through school and university.

Listen to LBC on Global Player: Podcasts, news and radio highlights
Listen to LBC on Global Player: Podcasts, news and radio highlights. Picture: Global Player

One of the last productions he starred in was 'Dr. Morrison film' in 2013, according to his profile. He also appeared in Rapunzel's Prince in Glasgow.

David Yates is a missing person
David Yates is a missing person. Picture: Facebook

He was also a member of the Glasgow-based heavy metal band Nocturne Wulf, but quit in September 2020 after lockdown to "focus on family and his own self".

In a video posted to social media, Mr Yates said he wasn't committed to the band and wanted different things, such as a puppy and a family.

Marelle's friends had shared a photo on Facebook of her looking happy at a meal, smiling with her pals, just hours before she was found dead.

Friends shared this image shut hours before she was found dead
Friends shared this image shut hours before she was found dead. Picture: Facebook
Marelle Sturrock who was found dead in her home
Marelle Sturrock was found dead in her home in Glasgow. Picture: social media

"It is with deep sorrow that I must inform you about the sudden death of Ms Sturrock who is a beloved member of our teaching staff," her school said.

"I know that this will come as a shock to our school community, and we will do all that we can to support children, staff and families through what will be a difficult and challenging time.

"I hope that you will understand that there are no other details that I can share at this time but wanted to let our families know the tragic news from the school."

Marelle Sturrock posing for a photo with her partner David
Marelle Sturrock posing for a photo with her partner David. Picture: social media

Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Kelly said: “We were made aware of concern for a woman at a property on Jura Street in Glasgow shortly after 8.40am on Tuesday, April 25.

Officers attended and the body of a 35-year-old woman was found within.

“Her death is being treated as unexplained and enquiries remain ongoing. Officers have been carrying out extensive searches of Mugdock Country Park in relation to a missing person in the area.

Detectives confirmed the death of the mum-to-be is being treated as linked to the missing person search.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A Serbian assassin may prove to be a key suspect in the murder of TV star Jill Dando in 1999, an investigation has revealed.

New clues unveiled in mysterious Jill Dando murder case as second witness links 'Serbian assassin' to TV star's death

Commuters cycling to work on an urban street

Cyclists who kill pedestrians to face life sentences in victory for campaigners who slammed former 'loophole' in law

A fleet of Mercedes minivans carrying actress Florence Pugh and her family were targeted by 'masked robbers' following the premiere of her new film Thunderbolts.

Florence Pugh's minivan targeted in 'shock raid' by 'lawless' masked thieves following Thunderbolts premiere in London

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during an 'In Conversation' event with Debbie Weinstein, managing Director Goole UK&I during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool. Picture date: Monday September 23, 2024.

Sluggish AI adoption could cost UK economy £200bn in growth as Google issues 'call to arms' over country's tech gap

PEEQUAL co-founders Hazel McShane (left) and Amber Probyn.

Runners’ urine to be turned into fertiliser at the London Marathon

A person views knives available to purchase via an online website

Tech firms and bosses face fines up to £70,000 for failing to remove 'sickening' knife crime content

Sewage protest in Falmouth, Cornwall following a series of discharges which cancelled beachside events

'No more hiding places' - Polluting water bosses face up to two years in prison under new laws

Pile of chocolate digestive biscuits

We've been eating chocolate digestives wrong for 100 years, reveals McVitie's boss

People enjoying a drink outside a West End pub

Age when party lifestyle starts to take its toll revealed - and it's sooner than you might think

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon

Runaway aristocrat Constance Marten tells court 'we did everything we could' to protect newborn baby as trial continues

US President Donald Trump will be sat in the third row at Pope Francis' funeral.

Trump to be relegated to the third row at the Pope's funeral

The head of Edinburgh University has said "around 350" staff have taken voluntary redundancy as the sector wrestles with a financial crisis, with more jobs being potentially cut.

350 staff at Edinburgh University take voluntary redundancy and more jobs on the line

Kieron Goodwin, 33, was found guilty of murder after a five-week trial at Bristol Crown Court

Man who plied partner with cocaine then fatally strangled her on night she planned to leave him convicted of murder

Andrew Johnston of Britain's Got Talent performs at Manchester's Christmas party at Albert Square on November 12, 2010 in Manchester, England.

Britain’s Got Talent choirboy star who was given £1m record deal ‘pinned down and raped’ two women

Exclusive
Kneecap have been making headlines after they used a recent performance at Coachella to denounce Israeli attacks on Gaza

Kneecap could be pulled from major UK show after shouting 'pro-Hamas' chants at concert

Eni Aluko and Ian Wright during the Arnold Clark Cup match between England Lionesses and Spain at Carrow Road on February 20, 2022 in Norwich, England.

Eni Aluko 'faces sack' after accusing Ian Wright of blocking female pundits by ‘dominating’ women’s football coverage