The family of a heavily pregnant teacher found murdered in her Glasgow home say they are “devastated” and “in total shock”.
Marelle Sturrock, 35, died in her home on Jura Street on the morning of April 25. She was 29 weeks pregnant and her unborn baby did not survive.
Her partner David Yates - who was wanted in connection with Marelle’s murder - was found dead three days later following searches of Mugdock Reservoir, north of Glasgow.
The 35-year-old’s death is not being treated as suspicious.
In a statement released a week after her death, Marelle’s parents Colin and Lorna Sturrock said their daughter and her partner “doted on each other” and “this incident has come as a total shock to all who knew her”.
The statement, released by Police Scotland on Tuesday, said: “We are devastated following the deaths of our daughter, Marelle, and soon to be grandson, Jayden Sturrock.
“Marelle was the happiest person you could ever meet and was always looking to help others the best she could.
“We would like to thank family and friends, colleagues at Sandwood Primary School, Police Scotland officers, both in the Highlands and Glasgow, for their efforts and comforting support following our tragic event.
“Our family would like everyone, including the press, to respect our privacy at this very sad and difficult time.”
An investigation remains ongoing, however, there is nothing to suggest anyone else was involved in her death, Police Scotland have said previously.
Marelle’s sister Sarah Sturrock wrote on Facebook how the death has been “utterly devastating” and “heartbreaking”.
Sarah Sturrock wrote: “There are no words [for] how utterly devastating this is for us as a family and how we are going to cope without her.
“How this could of happened to her, I will never get my head around this.”
Colleagues and friends were reportedly concerned when Ms Sturrock did not show up for work at Sandwood Primary School.
Headteacher Fiona Donnelly said Marelle had taught at the school for more than six years and used her “artistic talents” to help the school choir and theatre productions.
Marelle was a drama and music student before her teaching career, with local groups including the Glasgow Light Opera Club and the Wick Players, praising her talents following her death.
Wick Players said Ms Sturrock was an “active member” when she was a teenager.
“She was a very talented young lady both with her singing and her acting...she followed her dream by doing drama and music studies at university,” the group said in a statement.
The Glasgow Light Opera Club said Ms Sturrock had a “breathtaking talent”.
Ms Sturrock had posted a photo of herself enjoying a meal out with friends just days before her death.
One former colleague wrote: “I worked with Marelle 15 years ago and she was a vibrant and special woman. She arranged a birthday party for me and made me a CD of her singing and I’d known her less than a week by then.”
