Karen Buckley: Alexander Pacteau appears in court charged with murdering Glasgow student

The student, 24, disappeared from a club in the early hours of Sunday morning

Karen Buckley, 24, went missing in Glasgow in the early hours of Sunday 12 April (Facebook)

A man has appeared in court accused of murdering Karen Buckley, whose body was found four days after she went missing in Glasgow.

Alexander Pacteau, 21, did not enter a plea to the charge during a private hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday and was remanded in custody.

He is also accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice and is due in court again next week for a committal hearing.

The body of 24-year-old Miss Buckley was discovered at a farm to the north of the Scottish city on Wednesday.

Police outside flats in Dorchester Avenue in Glasgow during the investigation (PA)

A huge police search operation had been launched when the Glasgow Caledonian University student vanished on a night out with friends in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Specialist divers, a helicopter and search dogs were involved in the hunt that eventually led officers to High Craigton Farm, on the north-western outskirts of Glasgow.

Miss Buckley, who had moved to Glasgow in February to start a degree in occupational therapy, vanished from The Sanctuary nightclub in Partick after telling friends she was going to the toilet at around 1am on Sunday.

She left her jacket and her handbag was later found in searches of Dawsholm Park, more than two miles away.

Her family, who travelled to Scotland on Tuesday from their home in Cork, Ireland, have said they are “absolutely heartbroken”.

Photos from the night she disappeared posted on the 'Please Help Find Karen missing in Glasgow' Facebook group (Facebook)

Her father John Buckley, 62, said his daughter was an outgoing girl who would be deeply missed by all who knew her.

"Marian and I, together with our sons Brendan, Kieran, and Damian are absolutely heartbroken,” he added.

"Karen was our only daughter, cherished by her family and loved by her friends.

"She was an outgoing girl who travelled the world, where she met lots of people and thoroughly enjoyed her life. We will miss her terribly.”

Marian and John Buckley speaking to the media in Glasgow on Tuesday (PA)

Detective Superintendent Jim Kerr, who led the police inquiry, said the public in Glasgow and beyond had been “very, very helpful” and thanked everyone for their support.

“We cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering of Karen’s family and friends and all our thoughts are with them at this very sad time,” he added.

More than £50,000 has been raised to support the Buckley family in an online drive organised by former classmates who met her at Limerick University.

The 24-hour appeal closed last night after topping £50,000 - ten times the initial target.

Police forensic officers searching a garden during the investigation

The Go Fund Me page was set up to cover the family's travel and expenses while in Scotland and to support the upkeep of their farm in Cork.

A vigil is due to be held Glasgow this evening, organised by former Scottish Socialist politician Rosie Kane.

"If folk can come to George Square at 5pm we could embrace each other in Karen's honour and hope that those hurt by loss and fear and trauma will know we care," she wrote on Facebook.

Additional reporting by PA