Former prison officer murdered friend and disposed of body in woodland

Ross Willox was found guilty of the murder of Emma Faulds, 39, after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow last month. On Tuesday he was jailed for life.

The 42-year-old killed her after she visited his house in Monkton, South Ayrshire on 28 April 2019 and disposed of her body in the Galloway Forest, Dumfries and Galloway.

Ms Faulds was reported missing on 30 April 2019 after her family could not get in touch with her and her body was found six weeks later on 12 June.

CCTV analysis, mobile phone tracking and forensic techniques were all essential in securing Willox’s conviction.

David Green, procurator fiscal for homicide and major crime, said: “Emma Faulds’ family have suffered a devastating loss and our thoughts are with them as they attempt to come to terms with her murder.

“Ross Willox not only took Ms Faulds’ life, but he then hid her body and tried to cover his tracks, attempting to deny her family the knowledge of what had happened to their loved one.

“It is thanks to painstaking work analysing CCTV footage and mobile phone data that Willox has been brought to justice.”