THE sister of a woman believed to have been murdered along with her young son 42 years ago says she has not given up hope of uncovering their fate.
Renee MacRae, 36, and Andrew, three, disappeared after leaving their home near Inverness on November 12, 1976. MacRae’s BMW was found burnt out a few miles south of the city that day. The case remains unsolved.
Speaking on the anniversary of their disappearance, MacRae’s sister, Morag Govans, said: “Not a day goes past that both are not in my thoughts.
“Even after the passage of time I believe that there are people who know what happened to Renee and Andrew, and I will never give up hope of getting justice for them both.
“I appeal for anyone with any information to come forward and for others to examine their conscience to end 42 years of pain and anguish to allow us to grieve for Renee and Andrew.”
Detectives said the latest forensic technology and investigative techniques were being applied in the case.
Officers from Police Scotland’s major investigations team and marine investigation unit recently spent several days at Leanach Quarry near Culloden as part of the inquiry.
Andrew’s pram, believed to have been with the pair when they went missing, has never been recovered. It is described as a Silver Cross Carnival collapsible model, with a chrome-plated frame and a blue canvas cover.
Govans said: “Andrew was a mischievous and fun-loving wee boy. It is impossible to take in that his life was brought so cruelly to and end at such a young age. He would have turned 45 in October and I often wonder what he would have been doing now with the life he was never given the chance to build. Andrew and his elder brother Gordon were Renee’s life. Gordon was only eight and has lost the love and guidance of his mum and brother.”
Detective Inspector Brian Geddes said: “Our goals are to bring a person, or persons, to justice and to locate the remains of Renee and Andrew. The chances are the person or persons responsible for the murders of Renee and Andrew will have enjoyed a life, something which was denied to them.”
Geddes said he was keen to speak to the anonymous author of a letter sent to police in 1982 regarding information surrounding activity at an unnamed quarry on the day Mrs MacRae and her son went missing.
Those with information can contact police on 101 or email SCDHOLMESInverness@scotland.pnn.police.uk. Crimestoppers can be reached anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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