A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a sex worker in Aberdeen.
Jessica McGraa, a high class escort from London, was found dead at a rented apartment in the city’s Union Terrace on Friday.
Yesterday Bala Wadzani Chinda appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court accused of murdering her.
He also faced a charge of theft.
The 25-year-old made no plea when he appeared in private before Sheriff Richard McFarlane.
Chinda was remanded in custody and will appear in court again next week.
On Sunday, officers announced a murder investigation had been launched following the discovery of 37-year-old Ms McGraa’s body two days earlier.
And last night, they made a fresh appeal to anyone who saw her or had contact with her in the days before her death to get in touch.
Detective Superintendent David McLaren, from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: “In particular, I am appealing for anyone who was in Jessica’s company or who spoke to her on Tuesday 9th, Wednesday 10th, Thursday 11th or Friday 12th February to come forward as a matter of urgency.
“Piecing-together the events leading up to her body being discovered on Friday afternoon is crucial to our investigation.
“Jessica is also believed to have sometimes used the name ‘Bianca’, so this may be a name that people are more familiar with.
“Although a man has been arrested and charged we continue to gather evidence and would appeal for anyone who has information to contact us.”
Ms McGraa is understood to have been visiting Aberdeen and been advertising services on escort site Adult Work.
Tributes have been paid to the mum on social networking sites.
Friend Catarina Dos Santos Yates wrote: “God prayers for our dear friend Jessica McGraa, may your soul rest in peace.”
Neighbours said Ms McGraa had only moved into the apartment, which is between the TSB bank and Caledonian Hotel, three days before her death.