POLICE searching for the body of a murdered Glasgow gran are investigating reports of human remains found near her home.

Yesterday, detectives said they believe Julie Reilly, 47, who has been missing from her home in Govan for more than two months, has been killed.

Read more: Missing Govan woman ‘is dead’ as police hunt for two suitcases

The murder probe was launched as residents told the Daily Record of discovering what they believe to be human body parts in streets close to where she lived. One saw what he understood to be a body part lying on a driveway.

Police set up a tent over the find on Ardshiel Street, two streets from Julie’s home in Shieldhall Road, and carried out garden searches early on Friday. A second blue tent was erected nearby Drumoyne Drive yesterday.

Police have yet to comment on the neighbours’ claims.

Julie was last seen on February 6 when she was spotted at 5pm on CCTV at an Aldi supermarket on Paisley Road West in Govan.

She was reported missing on February 15 after she failed to turn up for appointments – leading to an emotional appeal for information from her mum and sister.

Read more: Family of missing Govan woman make emotional appeal

Police revealed yesterday they had upgraded their investigation to a murder probe but admitted they do not know where her body is.

Detectives want to find two suitcases which they believe are crucial to the investigation. They believe the suitcases have been dumped in Glasgow’s South Side.

One resident of Ardshiel Street said police were called after he helped his neighbour inspect the item on his driveway.

He said: “They eventually put a tent over it. All the police would say was that it wasn’t an animal and that it would be at least Monday until tests were back. They wouldn’t say anything more than that.”

As the murder hunt was launched DCI Mark Bell, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigations Team, said: “Enquiries carried out so far have revealed that two suitcases may contain evidence regarding Julie’s disappearance.

“The suitcases are believed to have been discarded in the South Side of Glasgow, particularly in the Cardonald, Cessnock and Govan areas of the city.

“They may have been left at a roadway, in a garden path, a park, a pathway or on waste ground.

“Members of the public with any information regarding Julie’s disappearance, or who have recently observed a discarded suitcase in those areas, are urged to contact police as a matter of urgency.

“Unfortunately officers can now confirm that Julie Reilly is deceased and they are treating her death as murder.”

Police Scotland can be contacted on the non-emergency number 101 or the dedicated incident room number 0141 305 4511. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.