Detective Chief Inspector Bob Williamson, who is leading the investigation into the remains of murder victim Suzanne Pilley, is urging her killer, David Gilroy, to reveal the location of her body. Suzanne Pilley, a 38-year-old bookkeeper, disappeared on May 4, 2010, during her usual commute in Edinburgh. Her former lover and colleague, David Gilroy, was convicted of her murder in 2012 and is currently serving a life sentence. Gilroy is believed to have murdered Pilley in the basement of their workplace in Edinburgh before disposing of her body in the forests of Argyll. Despite multiple pleas from Pilley’s family, Gilroy, who maintains his innocence, has refused to disclose where the body is hidden.
Detective Chief Inspector Bob Williamson, speaking on BBC One’s Crimewatch Live programme, emphasized Gilroy’s lack of cooperation in assisting with the location of Pilley’s body. Williamson described Gilroy’s post-murder actions as “cold and calculated” and stressed the importance of bringing closure to Pilley’s family by revealing the whereabouts of her remains. Finding Pilley’s body is a top priority for Police Scotland, especially after her father passed away in 2019 without being able to lay her to rest properly.
DCI Williamson appealed to the public for any information regarding Gilroy’s silver Vauxhall Vectra potentially travelling off-road in a wooded area between Tyndrum and Inverary in Argyll on the day after Pilley disappeared. He highlighted the significance of any suspicious sightings along that remote road that could assist in narrowing down search locations for Pilley’s body. Williamson also mentioned the possibility of a red and white umbrella in Gilroy’s vehicle, urging witnesses to come forward with any relevant details.
The case involving Gilroy and Pilley revealed a turbulent relationship between the two, with Pilley attempting to end the relationship just before her disappearance. The murder trial showcased Gilroy’s act of sneaking Pilley’s body out of their workplace after strangling her. Despite Gilroy exhausting various appeal routes, he has not cooperated with authorities in revealing the location of Pilley’s remains.
The ongoing plea for information and cooperation in locating Suzanne Pilley’s body underscores the determination of authorities to provide closure to her family and bring her home for a proper farewell.