Among the hundreds of calls officers in the incident room received was one from a 36-year-old Brechin woman’s employer.

This led police to a flat in the Angus town’s South Esk Street, where they discovered what a source told the Tele was a “bloodbath”.

The officer leading the inquiry, Detective Chief Inspector Graham McMillan, said, “The flat has been sealed off and officers are currently searching the property.

“We will be speaking to a number of people over the course of the day in a bid to establish the woman’s last known movements, when she was last seen, and to establish the circumstances of her death.

“I would urge anyone who has any information to get in touch with us.

“The response to the appeals to date has been phenomenal and has, without doubt, led to us identifying this woman. I thank those members of the public who did get in touch.”

A police family liaison officer has been appointed and officers are currently seeking the next of kin.

The Tele understands the woman was a Lithuanian interpreter.

Police also revealed they were contacted by the Coastguard late last night after one of their crew reported finding possible human material on the shore at Carnoustie.

Search-trained officers recovered the material near the leisure centre and it has been taken to the police mortuary in Dundee where it will be forensically examined.

The woman’s head (and subsequently both her hands) were discovered on Tuesday near Arbroath’s Seagate by two young girls.

Police have so far refused to say whether the body parts were washed ashore or dumped on the beach, although they have said the victim had died recently.

Anyone with information is asked to get in touch with Tayside Police on 01307 302200, or anonymously to Crimestoppers 0800 555111.