Police could face probe on if they could have saved murdered pregnant teacher
Police are facing a probe on whether they could have saved a heavily pregnant woman before she was killed by her partner who in turn took his own life in a murder-suicide.
Cops had previously been in contact with Marelle Sturrock and her killer David Yates before she was tragically found dead at home in Glasgow on Tuesday.
Detectives later found the man's body in a reservoir on April 27 - and it has now emerged that police had prior contact with the couple over concerns about their wellbeing, reports the Daily Record.
A discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry could be held if the Lord Advocate believes there has been a failure by police that could have prevented Marelle's death.
Marelle was pregnant and looking forward to becoming a mum (Daily Record)
Yates' body was found in a reservoir (Daily Record)Officers believe Marelle's murder could have been pre-meditated after claims that Yates took the couple's beloved dog Sam to his mum's house in Bearsden the night before the attack.
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A source said: "It is thought to have been pre-planned because David brought the dog to his mum's house the night before and told her he had plans the next day.
"It is not being considered as an accident - it was a brutal, frenzied attack."
A friend of Marelle said she was very excited to become a mum and described her death as "a complete shock" for the whole family.
A person close to Yates said he had struggled with his mental health in the past, adding: "David had a bit of a breakdown before his dad died last year.
"He was in a band for a few years and wanted to make a go of that and he was still doing his theatre shows and things. Nobody can get their heads around what has happened here."
Neighbours said police had carried out door-to-door enquiries following the death and had removed CCTV from outside a home nearby.
Police searching for David Yates (Garry F McHarg Daily Record)One said: "The house next door has CCTV which covers the front of the couple's house and some of the back and the police have been in to take that."
Another neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "I'd often see them in the garden and they would chat away as neighbours do.
"He would sometimes be outside with the dog and was a bit of a hippy, always playing the guitar.
"They seemed to have lots of friends and would sometimes have parties. But they kept themselves to themselves.
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"Everyone is just so shocked, it's just so sad. My wife saw a group of women last night who she said were teachers from the school where Marelle had worked.
"She was very well-liked, all the kids at the school loved her."
Another neighbour added: "It's just terribly sad. Whatever has happened, it's just unthinkable."
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "As this is being investigated by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) we are unable to comment further."
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