Police teams have been praised for their painstaking search for Emma Faulds’ body after the missing Kilmarnock woman was found in the wilderness.

Ms Faulds’ remains were found on Wednesday, June 12 in the remote Galloway Forest after officers spent weeks combing the area.

It is understood officers made the discovery in the Glentrool and Bargrennan area off a rural road in Wigtownshire.

Ms Faulds, 39, who lived in Kilmarnock’s Fullarton Street, had been last seen in Monkton, South Ayrshire on Sunday, April 28.

Councillors thanked Police Scotland at a meeting of the East Ayrshire police and fire and rescue committee this week for tracing the youth worker. 

Kilmarnock East and Hurlford Councillor Jon Herd said: “Can I commend Police Scotland for the hard work they have done in recovering the remains in the Galloway Forest Park that turned out to be Emma Faulds.

“I hope this helps the family.”

Councillor Herd addressed his comments to East Ayrshire chief inspector Gillian Docherty who attended the committee in Kilmarnock’s London Road.

Speaking after the meeting, the chair Councillor Tom Cook said: “I know the family. I hope the family get some comfort and closure.”

Specialist police officers have been supporting Ms Faulds’ loved ones.

Her father Ian owns David Faulds & Son butcher shop on Kilmarnock’s John Finnie Street.

A statement on the butcher’s Facebook page posted yesterday thanked people for all the cards, messages and flowers “during this desperately sad and painful time.”

It went on: “We’re not there yet and it will be a long time until we get answers to all the questions that have been haunting us but knowing that everyone is with us makes it easier to bare.”