A SUSPECT appeared in court today charged with murdering missing mum Bennylyn Burke by bludgeoning her to death with a hammer.
Andrew Innes, 50, was accused of killing Bennylyn, 25, and her two-year-old daughter Jellica during a private hearing at Dundee Sheriff Court.
Prosecutors alleged he murdered the pair within his home in the city between February 17 and March 5.
He is said to have killed the tot by “unknown means”.
The details emerged as police continued to search a five-bedroom detached house in the Tayside city.
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It is understood the hunt for the bodies is still ongoing.
Software engineer Innes is alleged to have attacked Bennylyn by repeatedly striking her on the head with a hammer, or similar implement, and murdered her.
The second charge alleges he assaulted her toddler daughter “by means presently unknown to the prosecutor” and murdered her.
Innes made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody by Sheriff John Rafferty.
He is expected to appear in court again next week.
We told how the arrest came after a UK-wide hunt was launched for Bennylyn and two children.
They had been living in a flat in Bristol and were last seen in the city on February 17 before being reported missing on March 1.
Cops began scouring the plush five-bedroom house 400 miles away in Dundee on Friday.
A second child aged seven who was also missing has been traced and is being supported.
Police yesterday continued their forensic examination of the detached house in the city’s Ardler area.
Specialist officers in white forensic suits could be seen taking photographs in a small wooden shed, near to the kitchen, at the back of the £250,000 property.
Insiders said the forensic experts were expected to continue activity at the house for several days to come.
Police yesterday said inquiries were continuing to establish the whereabouts of the mum and daughter.
Yesterday we told how a pal of Bennylyn revealed how her loved ones are "beyond devastated".
She said: "This has broken our hearts and we are all constantly crying.
"Bennylyn was a full-time mum and her daughter was her life.
“She was a very bubbly girl and we always have a laugh together.
"She was very lovely and always smiling and so pretty. We are beyond devastated."
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