A young woman found dead on a rural Perthshire road was allegedly stabbed to death by her brother at an infamous witch monument.
Jordan Johnstone has appeared in court accused of murdering his sister, Annalise.
It is alleged the 24-year-old repeatedly struck her in the neck with a sharp implement at the Maggie Wall memorial, next to the B8062 between Auchterarder and Dunning.
Johnstone, who had been living in Perthshire, also faced a second charge alleging he had stolen a caravan in Irvine, Ayrshire, on May 9.
He made no plea and the case against him was continued for further examination. Solicitor Jim Laverty made no motion for bail and Johnstone was remanded in custody.
He is expected to make a follow-up appearance at the same court next week.
Miss Johnstone’s body was found by a member of the public among trees at the side of the B8062 on May 10.
The grim discovery sparked a massive police investigation across Tayside, with at least 11 locations sealed off. Police resources were pulled in from across the country.
Miss Johnstone, 22, a member of the Ardrossan Travelling community, had been driven to the Auchterarder area the night before she was found dead.
The Courier revealed earlier this week that the Maggie’s Wall monument, just outside Dunning, had become a focus of the investigation.
Police were seen carrying out a finger-tip search around the stone cross and cairn, which had been partly covered with black tarpaulin.
The monument achieved global notoriety during the trial of moors murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.
Jordan Johnstone appeared on petition at Perth Sheriff Court.
He made no plea and was remanded in custody.
