Latest news with #ShonaStevens
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Man in court charged with murder of Scots mum after major breakthrough in cold case mystery after 30 years
Cops last week dropped the bombshell that they had arrested the pensioner – 31 years after Shona was found fatally injured IN THE DOCK Man in court charged with murder of Scots mum after major breakthrough in cold case mystery after 30 years A MAN has appeared in court accused of allegedly murdering a Scots mum more than three decades ago. Fraser Kilpatrick, 67, stood in the dock at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court today, charged with killing young mum Shona Stevens in November 1994. Advertisement 3 Shona Stevens, 31, died in 1994 Credit: Scotland Police 3 She was found fatally injured on a footpath near her home in Alder Green in Irvine Credit: Police Scotland 3 Cops last week revealed a man had been arrested and charged as part of their long-running investigation Credit: Tom Farmer The pensioner made no plea and was remanded in custody. It comes after cops last week dropped the bombshell that they had arrested Kilpatrick – 31 years after Shona was found fatally injured just yards from her home in Middleton Park, Irvine. The 31-year-old mum had popped out to the Co-op in Bourtreehill Shopping Centre - when she was allegedly attacked in broad daylight as she walked along a footpath next to a wooded area close to her house. Shona was last seen around 1.10pm on Towerlands Road. Advertisement Just ten minutes later, she was discovered with horrific injuries near Alder Green — only metres from home. She was rushed to hospital but tragically died three days later, on Sunday, November 13, 1994. At the time, she was living in Alder Green with her mum and her seven-year-old daughter Candice. The incident left the community in shock, with locals fearing a killer was among them. Advertisement But now, after a three-decade wait for answers, detectives have finally charged someone in relation to her death. Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Gillies said: 'I would like to thank the members of the local community who assisted us in our inquiries. Grisly case of gold jeweller gunned down in bath in Sopranos-style 'hit' 35yrs ago - as family offered fresh hope "I am grateful for their information and input, which greatly contributed to our investigation.'
Sky News
3 days ago
- Sky News
Shona Stevens: Man in court charged with murder of Irvine woman in 1994
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a woman more than 30 years ago. Shona Stevens, 31, suffered serious injuries after being attacked near her home in Irvine, North Ayrshire, in November 1994. She died in hospital three days later. The mother-of-one's family has never given up their campaign for justice, and in November last year a £20,000 reward was offered by Crimestoppers for information that could help catch and convict her killer. On Friday, Police Scotland announced its Major Investigation Team had arrested a man in connection with the case. Suspect Fraser Kilpatrick, 67, was charged the following day and appeared before Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Monday. Kilpatrick, of Glasgow, made no plea to the single charge of murder. He is due back in the dock within the next eight days. "I am grateful for their information and input which greatly contributed to our investigation." Ms Stevens was attacked on 10 November 1994. After leaving Bourtreehill shopping centre, she was last seen walking alone on Towerlands Road at about 1.10pm. Ten minutes later, she was discovered seriously injured in a wooded area to the rear of Alder Green, just 200 yards from her home. Ms Stevens died in hospital on 13 November 1994. Appealing for fresh information last year, her daughter Candice and mother Mhairi Smith said: "There is not a day that goes by that she is not in our thoughts and in our hearts."
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Man charged in connection with death of woman found in woodland 30 years ago
Shona Stevens died after she was discovered badly injured on a path in woodland near her home in Irvine, North Ayrshire, on November 10, 1994 - a man has now been charged A 67-year-old man has been charged following the death of a mother more than 30 years ago, police have confirmed. Shona Stevens, 31, was discovered badly injured on a path in woodland near her home in Irvine, North Ayrshire, on November 10 1994. She later died in hospital. On Friday, Police Scotland announced that a 67-year-old had been arrested - with an update on Saturday revealing the man has now been charged. It comes more than three decades after Ms Stevens was found injured on a footpath near the rear of Alder Green in the Bourtreehill Park area of Irvine. Senior investigation officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Gillies said: "I would like to thank the members of the local community who assisted us in our inquiries. I am grateful for their information and input which greatly contributed to our investigation." The man is now expected to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Monday, July 28. The frenzied attack happened just 200 yards from the mum's Ayrshire home, as she walked to the Co-op shop in Bourtreehill shopping centre. Shona was last seen walking alone on Towerlands Road just 10 minutes before she was found, the Daily Record reports. The police investigation was hampered after crucial evidence from the crime scene was feared to have been blown away by the downdraught of the helicopter airlifting Shona to hospital in Glasgow. Five weeks later, her body was laid to rest in her mum'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. But, Police Scotland announced last year that they 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 - a novelty keyring - which was recovered at the crime scene. A Police Scotland statement released today read: "A 67-year-old man arrested in connection with the death of Shona Stevens has now been charged."
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Scots cops charge man 30 years after mystery death of young mum
Shona Stevens was found dying just meters from her home Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PENSIONER who was arrested in connection with the mystery death of a young mum 30 years ago has now been charged. Shona Stevens was tragically found dying just meters from her home in Irvine, Ayrshire, on November 10, 1994. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Shona Stevens died in November 1994 Credit: POLICE SCOTLAND 3 She was found critically injured on a footpath near Alder Green, in Irvine, Ayrshire Credit: POLICE SCOTLAND The 31-year-old was discovered on a footpath near the rear of Alder Green in the Bourtreehill Park area of the town. She was rushed to hospital, but sadly passed away three days later. Shona was living with her mum and her daughter, Candice, who was just seven at the time. She had briefly left the house to nip to the Co-op shop in Bourtreehill Shopping Centre around lunchtime when she was allegedly attacked. She was last seen walking home alone along Towerlands Road at around 1.10pm. But three decades after detectives were left baffled, police yesterday revealed that a 67-year-old man was arrested in connection with her death. And today, Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team have confirmed that the pensioner has now been charged. He is now expected to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court sometime on Monday. Senior investigation officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Gillies said: 'I would like to thank the members of the local community who assisted us in our inquiries. 'I am grateful for their information and input, which greatly contributed to our investigation.' I thought mom abandoned me as a baby but she'd been left 'without a face' in brutal murder - cops 'can solve it & won't' The major breakthrough in the cold-case murder comes after mum Mhairi and Candice launched a plea for answers last year. The heartbroken family urged anyone with information to come forward and speak with officers. "We still want justice for Shona, and your help would be greatly appreciated. "We know it has been 30 years since Shona was taken from us but to us it seems like only yesterday. "There is not a day that goes by that she is not in our thoughts and in our hearts. 'If you remember noticing or seeing anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, no matter how small, please let the police know. ' Investigators previously said the key to solving the case was in the community and Crimestoppers stumped up a £20K reward. In a previous appeal, DI Gillies said he believed "the person responsible has local connections". He said a number of "forensic investigations" were also being carried out, during a statement in November last year. He said the force "remains focused to ensure that justice is done". Appeals for information have also featured on the BBC's Crimewatch.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
Man, 67, is charged with murder of 31-year-old woman who was found in woods 30 years ago
A 67-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a woman more than 30 years after she was found in the woods. Shona Stevens, 31, was discovered badly injured on a path just 200 yards from her home in Irvine, North Ayrshire, on November 10, 1994. The 'beautiful' mother died in hospital three days later. Yesterday, Police Scotland announced a man had been arrested - with an update today revealing he has now been charged. Senior investigation officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Gillies said: 'I would like to thank the members of the local community who assisted us in our inquiries. 'I am grateful for their information and input which greatly contributed to our investigation.' The man is expected to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Monday, July 28. DCI Gillies said earlier this year he was 'confident that there are answers in the community' and 'there is always the possibility that there are further witnesses that haven't been identified or haven't come forward'. Ms Stevens' daughter was just seven-years-old when her mother was killed. She said: 'My mum was my inspiration. Every moment I got to spend with her I cherished and I only wish I could have known her as an adult. 'I have tried to follow her ideals. She was incredibly bright, academic, multi-talented and just such a beautiful person. 'I was seven-years-old when I lost my mum. When I saw her coffin that's when it hit me that she was gone. 'Losing my mum has impacted every facet of my life. To anyone that's got any information about Shona's case, please, please share whatever you know with the police. 'Any little bit of information, however insignificant you think it may be, please share it. 'It's been 30 years. My mum deserves justice, my gran is 90-years-old and she deserves justice and so do I.' Police said Ms Stevens walked to the Co-op in Bourtreehill shopping centre at around 1pm on the day she was attacked. She was last seen walking alone on Towerlands Road at around 1.10pm. Ten minutes later, she was found in a wooded area near to the back of Alder Green, only 200 yards from her home. Police said they believed her killer had local connections and urged anyone with information to contact them. In 2021, detectives released images of a distinctive novelty keyring in a fresh bid to solve the cold case. Police said the cartoon-style figure looked as if it had broken off a keyring and was found during the initial search of the crime scene.
