FLOWERS have been laid at the roadside in memory of murdered Edinburgh mum Louise Tiffney, whose remains were discovered near the entrance to Gosford House.

Relatives of tragic Louise, who disappeared from her family home in Dean Village in 2002, visited the scene at the weekend.

Police had shut off the A198 coast road, between Aberlady and Longniddry, for five days after a cyclist discovered the remains in thick bushes at the side of the road.

READ MORE: Police confirm identity of human remains

A tree at the entrance to Longniddry Bents Car Park No 3, near where the remains were found, was identified by police as a ‘safe’ place for people to leave tributes near the busy coastal road.

Flowers from Louise’s relatives were left with poignant messages.

One said: “Auntie Louise, may you finally rest in peace x the girls”, and another wrote: “Dreamt and prayed for this day to come. The search is finally over. We love you xxxx.”

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Louise Tiffney disappeared from her home, leaving behind her six-year-old daughter Hannah, in 2002.

Three years later, her son Sean Flynn walked free from court after a jury found allegations he had killed his mother not proven.

Searches were carried out following Louise’s disappearance in the East Lothian countryside, including around the Gosford Estate, but nothing was found.

Last Sunday evening, a cyclist made the grim discovery after stopping near the entrance to the estate on the A198.

Police quickly sealed off the area and forensics experts and officers remained on the scene as they painstakingly removed the remains and searched for any evidence.

READ MORE: Coast road re-opened to public

A police press conference was held outside St Leonard’s Police Station in Edinburgh on Friday afternoon.

DCI Keith Hardie, from the Major Investigation Team, who has been involved in a number of murder investigations, including the murders of Haddington’s Brian Bathgate and Edinburgh pensioner Eleanor Whitelaw, described the finding and identifying of the remains as “the biggest development to date”.

He said: “It is a hugely significant move forward.

“It allows us to give the family some form not of resolution at this point but a step forward, if you like.

“We now know exactly what we are dealing with and we are dealing with a murder enquiry; a live murder enquiry. We have to make sure we maximise all the potential evidential opportunities.”

East Lothian Courier:

Louise Tiffney

About 30 officers were involved in the investigation last week, with experts from the University of Dundee also in attendance.

Odontology analysis confirmed the remains were Louise’s; however, police will also look to seek corroboration through DNA.

DCI Hardie took the time to praise the work of the university experts.

He said: “The experts from the University of Dundee have been massively important.

“We don’t have the expertise that the anthropologists have.

“We have worked with them on a number of occasions and they provide us superb support.

“They are world-renowned at what they do.

“We could not do it without them – it is as simple as that – and they provide an absolutely fantastic service.”

Further investigations will be carried out before a report is submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

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He added: “Now that we have identified these remains, our thoughts are once again with Louise’s family, who have had to wait 15 years for this news.

“We will continue to provide them with all the necessary support and assistance they may require at this very difficult time.

“Our investigation into Louise’s death and the discovery of her remains is continuing and we will keep the family and the Crown Office fully updated with the progress of these inquiries.”

Louise’s family, who have connections to Ormiston, were informed of the find shortly after the discovery of the remains,.

However, it was Friday before police were able to confirm they belonged to Louise.