HORROR IN MURDER WOODS
Dog walker Linda, 52, left with life-changing head injuries after being attacked in notorious spot
A DOG walker suffered life-changing injuries when she was attacked in woods notorious for two murders, the Record can reveal.
Linda McDonald, 52, is being treated for very serious head wounds. She was assaulted in Templeton Woods near
Dundee, where the bodies of murder victims Carol Lannen, 18, and Elizabeth McCabe, 20, were discovered in 1979 and 1980.
A 31-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder over the attack on Linda and is expected to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court this morning.
Linda was assaulted at around 1.10pm as she walked her Jack Russell, Betsy, near her home in the city’s Downfield district.
She was rushed to Ninewells Hospital. A source close to the investigation confirmed that her injuries were extremely serious and described them as life-changing.
Police launched a major search after the attack and a helicopter was scrambled. A suspect was later arrested.
Linda’s family were trying to comfort each other yesterday at the family home near Downfield Golf Club, a five-minute drive from the woods.
A young woman who answered the door did not want to talk about the incident. Linda’s husband Matt was unavailable for comment.
Police Scotland confirmed that a man aged 31 had been charged.
A spokeswoman said: “The 52-year-old woman suffered a serious head injury as a result of the assault and remains in hospital.
“Officers would like to hear from anyone who was in the area of Templeton Woods between 12.30pm and 2.30pm yesterday.
“We would appeal for them to come forward and assist with inquiries.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or talk to any officer. Alternatively, information can be given in confidence by calling the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Locals near the scene told of their shock at the attack. One said: “I came through from the car park and when I got back I saw four police vehicles at the entrance.
“It’s actually quite scary – such a horrible thing to happen.”
A male walker added: “I was here on Monday, not long after it happened. A lot of people are talking about it and I’ve seen people on Facebook saying they won’t be coming down here again. “It’s a terrible thing to happen.” Templeton Woods became known around Scotland after the murders of Carol and Elizabeth.
Both cases remain unsolved. There were similarities between them but they have never been linked by police.
Linda’s family and friends rallied round after the attack on her to find Betsy, who had run off.
Relatives appealed on social media for help, and dozens of people joined the search. There were fears at one point that Betsy had been clipped by a car.
Family friend John Paton found Betsy yesterday afternoon.