Tributes to ‘beautiful and caring’ sister killed on Shetland
Family speak of their grief as pair are charged over death
THE grieving family of a mother found dead near her home in Shetland have described her as a ‘beautiful person’.
The body of Tracy Walker, 40, was discovered around 2am on Tuesday in the street outside a property in Lerwick.
It triggered what is thought to be only the third murder or homicide investigation on the island in 50 years.
Police confirmed last night that a 31-year-old man and a woman, 27, previously arrested in connection with the death, had been charged.
Miss Walker’s brother, Dell Smith, 43, who also lives in Lerwick, paid a moving tribute to his sister yesterday.
He said: ‘I want everyone to know how great she was.
‘I have lost a lot more than my little sister and I’m going to spend the rest of my life without her eyes, her smile and her voice. She cared for everyone and everything.
‘She was the kind of person who would help you through bad times. She was a beautiful person and anyone who knew her is going to suffer badly, as living without her is already hell.
‘My sister will be hugely missed, her beautiful light and warm energy gone.’
Emergency services were called to the town’s Ladies Drive area in the early hours of Tuesday. It is understood the mother of two, who was pronounced dead at the scene, lived close to where her body was discovered.
Miss Walker, also known as Smith and Anderson, is survived by her daughters, aged 17 and 14.
Officers said the death of Miss Walker was being treated as suspicious.
Detectives were flown to Shetland from the mainland to investigate the incident, which has left the small community reeling.
A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal following the arrests. The man and woman are expected to appear at Lerwick Sheriff Court today.
One source reported in the Daily Record claimed that Miss Walker, who worked as a carer, died in a ‘gruesome’ attack. They said: ‘Officers were faced with a pretty gruesome scene. This was a young mum whose life has been tragically ended in what looks like a horrific knife attack.’
Her late mother Jean Wiseman and father Derek Smith reportedly split up when Miss Walker was a baby.
Mr Smith, 73, who lives in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, said he had not had much contact with his daughter in recent years. He told
‘Life without her is already hell’
the Scottish Sun: ‘This is such a massive shock. It’s hard to accept she’s gone. Tracy was a very independent girl. We last spoke three or four months ago.’
Miss Walker’s family issued a statement through Police Scotland last night. They said: ‘We are very grateful to everyone who has been in touch over the last few days offering their support.
‘We now ask that our privacy is respected as we come to terms with our loss.’
Yesterday, Detective Inspector Ross Fitzgerald said: ‘Our thoughts are with Tracy’s family and friends at this difficult time.
‘I would again take the opportunity to thank local residents for their patience while officers have been in the area and also thank those who have assisted our inquiries so far. Anyone with information about this incident, who has not yet spoken to police, is asked to contact us.’
Last year it was reported that the Shetland Isles had only had two murders in 50 years.
The most recent involved a children’s author who used the pen name Harry Horse.
Born Richard Horne, the English author’s body was found beside that of his 39-year-old wife in January 2007 at their home on the island of West Burra.
Initially reported to be a suicide pact, it later emerged that Horne had murdered his wheelchairbound wife before turning the blade on himself.
After murdering his wife, the 46year-old killed the family cat and dog then knifed himself 47 times.
At the time it was said to be the first murder in Shetland for more than 15 years.