By Laurie Watson

A MYSTERY FRIEND of Dundee murder victim Carol Lannen may hold clues that could solve one of Scotland’s longest lasting murder hunts.

It is now more than 28 years since Carol’s body was found dumped in Templeton Woods on the outskirts of Dundee and detectives investigating her murder appealed yesterday for a local man—who was friendly with Carol in the years leading up to her murder—to come forward.

They have recently received new information that suggests Carol was known to be friendly with the man—thought to be called Roger—in the mid 1970s.

Tayside Police began logging calls about the man just hours after issuing their appeal.

Detective Chief Inspector Ewen West—the officer leading the inquiry—said Roger was not being treated as a suspect, but stressed that making contact with him could unearth vital information and complete a gap in the murder hunt.

He said, “We know that Carol was friendly with this man, visited him at his home, and there is information to suggest that she sometimes ran errands for him.

“She certainly had some contact with him and it is important to find out what their association together was.”

DCI West continued, “If anyone can assist us in identifying who this man might be, or if you think you might be the man we are looking for, please get in touch with us.

“Any small piece of information could be of great assistance to the investigation and people should not hesitate to pass any detail to the inquiry team, however insignificant they think it may be.”

DCI West believes the man may be able to assist police inquiries by providing additional information regarding other associates or friends of Carol Lannen and other locations that she may have been visiting.

He added, “Despite it being nearly 30 years ago, we are still receiving fresh information about this crime.

“We meticulously investigate every piece of information that we receive and still have dedicated officers working on this inquiry.”

DCI West said last night Tayside Police had already received some calls in connection with their latest appeal but added it was still too early to tell how valuable that information may prove to be.

“Our inquiries are still ongoing and we will continue with any lines of inquiry to make sure we get as much information as possible,” he said.

Roger is understood to have lived in a flat somewhere between numbers 56 and 60 in Dundee’s Main Street—near to the junction with Dens Road—and is understood to have been a bus or coach driver at the time.

At the time of Carol’s murder Roger would have been aged between 25 and 30 and would now be in his late fifties or early sixties.

He was described as being of stocky build with light brown hair swept back off his face and he had long prominent side burns. He spoke with a local Dundee accent.

Carol’s body was found on Wednesday, March 21, 1979.

She had left her home in Dundee’s Hill Street on the night of March 20 and was known to have been in the Castle Street and Exchange Street areas of the city— an area she frequented on a regular basis.

She was last seen wearing a white polo neck jumper, a brown mid-length striped skirt with matching tie belt, a black velvet jacket, and black lacing shoes with metal toe caps.

On Sunday, April 1, 1979, some of Carol’s clothing was found on the banks of the River Don near the A96 between Hatton of Fintry and Kintore, Aberdeenshire.

Anyone who thinks they can identify the man, or if anyone thinks they might be the person detectives are looking for, should contact Tayside Police on Dundee 223200 or speak to any police officer.

Information can also be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.