Grave Exhumation Begins In Search For Murdered Schoolgirl

The exhumation of a grave in Coatbridge in Scotland has begun as part of the search for the body of murdered schoolgirl Moira Anderson.

The 11-year-old disappeared while on a trip to the shops in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, in 1957.

A team from Dundee University is currently working on the exhumation, led by University forensic anthropologist professor Sue Black.

The move follows a court order gained last year by Moira’s family for the exhumation at the Old Monkland Cemetery in Coatbridge where they believe Moira's killer may have concealed her body.

The girl’s disappearance is being treated as murder by police.

Convicted child rapist Alexander Gartshore, a bus driver who died in 2006, has been linked to the murder.

Gartshore was the last person to see Moira alive. His daughter Sarah Brown believes he murdered Moira and placed her body in the grave of Sinclair Upton.

Mr Upton had died a few weeks after Moira’s disappearance and it is thought Gartshore would have seen his open grave while driving his bus route.

Mr Upton’s relatives agreed to the exhumation.

Gartshore is on record as remarking 'Sinky', a nickname for Mr Upton, had done him a favour.

Radar work carried out at the grave in 2007 threw up anomalies which are thought to be evidence for the soil having been tampered with.

Moira's sister Janet Hart, who lives in Australia, began the petition to get Upton’s grave exhumed.

It is thought the exhumation will finally close the case, once and for all.

(IT/GK)