Forensic cops probing the disappearance of a vulnerable woman who hasn’t been seen since 1999 have returned to the home she shared with her carers.
Margaret Fleming was reported missing six months ago but the last verified sighting of her was more than 17 years ago.
A search was carried out at her home in Inverkip, Inverclyde, and completed weeks ago. But police were seen at the cottage on Thursday.
A source said: “They’ve been back at the house taking fresh soil samples.
“Human DNA was found in a previous search but that could be from gardening or something innocent. This latest search suggests something is happening.”
The news comes just days after the detective leading the hunt said leads had taken them as far as the US in the search for the 37-year-old.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Livingstone said last week the search at the property had ended and revealed they are contacting every woman named Margaret Fleming in the UK.
Police have not ruled out “something sinister” happening to Margaret, who lived with carers Edward Cairney, 75, and Avril Jones, 56.
Margaret was last seen on her own at a family gathering in December 1999.
Cairney and Jones, who were family friends, reported her missing last October. They have so far declined to issue a public appeal to help find her.
Before Margaret started living with her carers, she lived with her dad Frederick in Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, until he died in 1995.
She then lived with her grandparents and mum Margaret until moving in with her carers in 1997.
Margaret is believed to have attended John Watt College, Greenock , between 1996 and 1998.
DCI Livingstone said: “It would be foolish not to consider that something sinister has happened. We’ve been in touch with more than 1200 different persons and agencies to ascertain information and, frankly, verify if Margaret is still alive.
“We await some 200 outstanding responses in this regard.”
“Once we have everything we will review the situation and then have a discussion with the procurator fiscal.”
