Army Assists in Search for Remains of Murdered Mother and Son
Specialist army personnel have been deployed to assist Police Scotland in a renewed search for the remains of Renee MacRae and her three-year-old son Andrew, who were murdered nearly 50 years ago.
On 12 November 1976, Renee MacRae's car was discovered ablaze in a lay-by near Dalmagarry Quarry, located south of Inverness. Despite the vehicle being found, there was no trace of Renee or her son Andrew.
William MacDowell, aged 81, who was Renee MacRae's lover, was convicted in 2022 for their murders. He passed away a few months after his conviction without disclosing the location where he had disposed of their bodies.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed that the Army is providing support to Police Scotland and the National Crime Agency following a request for specialist expertise in the ongoing investigation.
The precise location of the current search has not been publicly disclosed.
"Our investigation into the murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae remains ongoing and officers continue to examine all available lines of investigation."— Detective Superintendent Brian Geddes
Extensive police efforts were made at the time of the initial investigation, including searches of moorland and a flooded quarry. The case has been reopened and reinvestigated multiple times over the past four decades.
Dalmagarry Quarry was a focal point during the original murder inquiry and was revisited by police in 2004. Over a three-week period, approximately 35,000 tonnes of earth and 2,000 trees were excavated and removed from the site.
In 2022, another search at the same location uncovered items such as a potty and carpet.
Other areas considered during the investigation include the Blackfold area above Loch Ness, Inverfarigaig, Nairnside, and Daviot.
Conviction and Trial Details
William MacDowell received a life sentence with a minimum term of 30 years in September 2022 after being found guilty at the High Court in Inverness. His defense team had presented special defenses of incrimination and alibi.
During sentencing, Lord Armstrong described the murders as "executions."
Renee MacRae and her son Andrew disappeared on the same day her car was found on fire.
The 2022 trial revealed that the discovery of the burning car exposed MacDowell's extramarital affair with MacRae. She had believed they were to meet for a weekend getaway prior to a planned relocation to Shetland.
The jury was informed that MacDowell, who lived near Inverness and was commonly known as Bill MacDowell, was the company secretary at a building firm owned by MacRae's estranged husband, Gordon. MacDowell was dismissed from his position due to the affair.
The trial also highlighted that MacRae, who is survived by her eldest son Gordon, was a devoted mother deeply in love with MacDowell.
MacDowell's Death
MacDowell was incarcerated at HMP Glenochil in Alloa and died at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in February 2023.
An inquiry conducted this month determined that he died from cancer and alcoholic liver cirrhosis.
