Paul Taylor murder cops find ‘human remains’ in woodland amid search for missing Scots dad

Police investigating the alleged murder of a missing Scots dad have found suspected human remains in Carlisle.

Paul Taylor was last seen leaving his home in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, shortly before midnight on October 17 last year. Two days later the 56-year-old's blue Vauxhall Corsa was found abandoned in Langwathby, Cumbria.

Police later launched a murder probe but his body was never recovered.

On Thursday morning, Cumbria Police confirmed officers conducting searches at Finglandrigg Wood in Carlisle had located suspected human remains. Paul's family has been informed.

Detectives have asked locals to avoid the area as their investigation continues.

A spokesperson for Cumbria Police said: "As part of Operation Focus - the ongoing investigation relating to missing Annan man, Paul Taylor - officers conducting searches in the area of Finglandrigg Wood off the B5307 in Carlisle have located suspected human remains.

"A police presence will be in the area for some time whilst officers continue with their work at the scene.

"People are asked to avoid the area to allow this work to continue.

"Paul’s family have been informed of developments."

On the night of his disappearance, Paul's car was seen travelling to Carlisle shortly before midnight on October 17, going into the City West area around Yewdale and Sandsfield Park.

Detectives believe Paul’s car was then outside the Carlisle city limits on Moorhouse Road and Burgh Road toward Kirkandrews on Eden, in the early hours of Wednesday October 18.

The vehicle was parked up in Green Lane, Carlisle, on the Wednesday morning around 9.50am.

It was eventually found abandoned in the village of Langwathby, south of the city, at about 8.30am on Thursday, October 19.

In December, a 20-year-old man from Penrith and a 47-year-old woman from Carlisle were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

In February a 19-year-old man was charged with murder. Another 19-year-old was arrested the following month for allegedly assisting an offender.

Police continued to appeal to the public for information that would lead to Paul's whereabouts.

The family of ex-Army man Paul, who served in Falklands and Iraq, previously issued their own appeal for help to bring him home.

At the time, a statement from his family read: "We are reaching out to anyone who knew Paul, or has even the smallest bit of information related to his disappearance that would help us find peace and get answers."

His daughter Beth Taylor said she was "heartbroken" as she took to social media to seek information on her missing dad.

Paul's sister Angela also shared the police appeal for information and wrote: "Devastated beyond words."

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