By Gary Cooper

DETECTIVES IN Angus early this morning charged two men in connection with the death of

35-year-old Lithuanian woman Jolanta Bledaite.

The men, aged 19 and 40, both Lithuanian nationals, are expected to appear at Forfar Sheriff Court later today. Their names have not been released.

Yesterday, police probing the death of the migrant worker in Angus uncovered vital evidence during a search.

Officers returned to the banks of the River South Esk in Brechin as the investigation into how Jolanta died entered a fifth day.

During a finger-tip examination, they found what police described as “items of interest” relating to the inquiry.

Although a spokeswoman declined to say what they were, she stressed they were not body parts.

Two men were arrested on Friday in connection with police inquiries.

A huge police investigation was sparked on Tuesday after two young sisters playing on the beach near South Street in Arbroath discovered Jolanta’s head and hands.

As the inquiry developed, a Grampian Police diving team arrived at Arbroath Harbour on Friday evening for an underwater search.

They drew a blank and returned to the north breakwater at the port entrance on Saturday morning and spent most of the day scouring the seabed close to the harbour wall.

The first sign they had found what they were looking for came in the afternoon, when a white tent was erected next to their support unit truck.

Forensic scientists were also at the scene and were peering over the harbour wall as a cream-coloured bundle was hoisted from the water shortly before 5 pm.

Two divers in the water, on the ebbing tide, gave a signal to their colleagues to pull on ropes and haul it on to dry land.

Police said the grim discovery was made at around 3.30 pm by a diving specialist before later being forensically recovered.

Uniformed officers cordoned off the harbour area at a number of access points from Friday and kept the public at a discreet distance as they patrolled seafront areas including Beacon Green.

The suitcase was examined at the scene before being taken to the mortuary in Dundee.

Detective Chief Inspector Graham McMillan, leading the inquiry, said at the time it was too early to say specifically what body parts were contained in the case and the contents would have to be examined in a controlled environment.

Diving activity meant Arbroath lifeboat crews were unable to launch their all-weather boat Inchcape or the inshore craft Duncan Ferguson on a planned exercise on Saturday but were told they would be able to launch in an emergency.

Although the harbour was back to normal yesterday, heavy police activity continued in Brechin.

Officers maintained a round-the-clock vigil at the flat in Earlsdon House, off Southesk Street, where farm worker Jolanta lived.

The property has been sealed off since Thursday, during which time a methodical examination has been carried out.

A white identification branch police trailer, used for recovered evidence, remained parked in the forecourt of Earlsdon House throughout the weekend, with a mobile unit on scene all weekend up a side street.

A police unit was also stationed at a flat at Hillview, on the outskirts of Brechin, where Jolanta was a visitor.

Door-to-door inquiries continued throughout the weekend involving police with back-up from Lithuanian, Polish and Portuguese interpreters.

Senior investigating officer Mr McMillan said, “It is vital that we establish her last known movements and to build up a picture of her lifestyle.

“I would encourage members of the migrant workers community who have any information they think may be useful to the inquiry team to get in touch with us.

“We understand that for some they may not speak English well, but we do have a team of translators in various languages able to assist.

“As the senior investigating officer I would like to thank members of the public for the response to our appeals for information.

“Whilst good detective work has paid off, receiving crucial information from members of the public has led to us establishing key lines to our enquiry.”

North Tayside MSP John Swinney urged anyone able to help police to do so.

“This has been a desperately sad few days for the community of Angus with the death of Jolanta Bledaite,” he said.

“I would like to express my shock at her death and my sympathy to her family in Lithuania and her friends here in Angus.

“Jolanta came to Scotland in search of a better life and it is heart-breaking to see how her life has ended.

“Our community has welcomed many people from other countries to take part in our local economy.

“They have a respected and valued part in our community and I am deeply sad this great association has been marred by this.”