TRIBUTES have been paid to a voluntary service worker who was found murdered close to her home.
Mary McCracken, who was known to family and friends as Marie, was fatally injured at a property in Old Coach Road, East Kilbride, at around 10.45pm on Wednesday.
The mother-of-four was a senior services assistant for the Womens Royal Voluntary Service at Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride, with the organisation describing her as a highly valued member of staff.
Alison Love, WRVS area manager for Glasgow and Lanarkshire, said: "We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Marie's death.
"She was a very popular and valued member of our staff. Our thoughts are with her family at this awful time."
Ms McCracken is understood to have died inside the property. Police are believed to have conducted a search of Calderglen Country Park as part of their investigation.
Strathclyde Police said a 61-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the murder and is due to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday.
Neighbour, James McDade, 52, said: "It's such a tragedy. Marie was a lovely lady and everyone who knew her locally knew she was very caring.
"She worked at the hospital charity shop and that just summed her up."
Ms McCracken's husband, James, 60, was too upset to speak about the loss of his wife.
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