The mother of the Aberdeen woman whose remains were found off the coast of Angus has said the family now have closure.
Kelli Ferris, 40, was reported missing on September 17 last year and remains found at sea around seven miles from Arbroath by a fishing vessel earlier this month have now been confirmed as hers.
Her mother Catherine Sandison issued a statement on behalf of the family, which paid tribute to her daughter, who she described as a “free spirit” who had many friends.
She said: “Kelli was a loving daughter and she will be sorely missed.
“She lived in Aberdeen her whole life and was always out, particularly in the city centre. She was a social being and great friend to many.
“While I would rather Kelli was here I’m glad that she has been found because it gives me and my family closure. We can now have a service for Kelli and put her to rest in peace.”
Mrs Sandison also expressed her gratitude to the police who searched for her daughter for four weeks after she vanished from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
“I’d also like to thank each person who had kind thoughts for Kelli and for her family,” she added.
“I was touched by how many people were thinking of her.
“Even when I’d be travelling on the bus or at the shops people I’d never met would say ‘I’m thinking of you’ or ‘I hope your daughter is found’. It was really touching.
“We now have an end and can begin the grieving process for Kelli.”
The remains were found at sea by a Kirkcaldy-registered fishing vessel, the KY19 Provider, with the crew alerting police to the discovery by radio.
They were met at Arbroath Harbour by detectives who took the remains back to Dundee for further analysis. Police revealed that the remains were those of Ms Ferris on Saturday.