Posted on 07/25/2025 11:34:02 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Police have arrested a 67-year-old man in connection with the death of a woman over 30 years ago.
Shona Stevens, 31, was found badly injured on a footpath in a wooded area near to the rear of Alder Green in the Bourtreehill Park area of Irvine on Thursday, November 10, 1994 and died later in hospital.
The police investigation was hampered after vital evidence from the crime scene was feared to have been blown away by the downdraught of the helicopter airlifting Shona to hospital in Glasgow.
Shona sadly died three days later after sustaining serious head injuries.
Five weeks later, her body was laid to rest in her mother’s hometown of Portree on Skye. It was the third murder recorded in the town in 1994, leaving many local residents in fear - especially as Shona's killer walked freely.
In 2019, her mum Mhairi Smith, 91, and daughter Candice Stevens, 38, said they still hoped that justice would be served.
Mhairi said: “It’s been 25 years since Shona was taken from us and we’re still as hopeful as ever that those responsible for her murder can be brought to justice.
“I can’t emphasise enough how important even the smallest piece of information could be in being able to give me and my family closure.
“I want to know who was responsible for this attack or why they did it.”
Candice added: “I was only seven at the time of mum’s murder but that does not make it any easier to deal with.
“I spent a large part of my childhood growing up without my mum and I would ask anyone who knows anything about the incident to please come forward.”
Police Scotland announced last year that the were 'determined' that the killer would be caught.
Her death was being re-investigated as part of a cold case review. At the time, officers were hopeful that advancements in science could lead to a break through.
Shona's case was featured on BBC's Crimewatch Live in 2021. A £10,000 reward was offered for any information leading to the arrest of the killer.
As part of the appeal, viewers were told about an unusual object which was recovered at the crime scene. A novelty keyring was recovered, despite other evidence potentially being destroyed.
Detectives at the time believed it could have been dropped by Shona's killer.
Detective Superintendent Paul Livingstone said at the time: "I firmly believe that someone has seen who was responsible for this. In 25 years, people’s allegiances change. They should have no fears about coming forward after all this time.
"The investigation has never been closed. It doesn’t just stop because we’ve not brought anyone to justice."
Speaking today, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Gillies, senior investigating officer on the case, said: “I would like to thank the members of the local community who assisted us in our enquiries. I am grateful for their information and input which contributed to our investigation.”
And?
30 years?! Justice delayed is justice denied. But at least they may finally get some closure.
AND?
What an oddly written story...
Enquiring minds want to know!
Not even the perps name.
The perp has been charged.
And is still unnamed in every story I’ve just read.
I guess we’ll know on Monday at the latest.
Perhaps he’s one of these perps.
He (she, it) is probably one of the protected species.
I’d go with the guy with too many middle names.
If one of his names is Mohammed or Abdul or similar, he’ll be treated with kid gloves.
The UK might end up a caliphate within a few more years. The Brits are insane if they allow this to happen.
This happened in the 1990s on the west coast of Scotland, far from the urban centers of Glasgow or Edinburgh. The year and location weigh against the perp belonging to the diversity crowd.
Does catch the eye.
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