Mystery over ashes found in cabinet 300 miles away

APPEAL: Perth woman’s remains were found in York

An appeal has been launched after the ashes of a Perth woman were found at the bottom of a filing cabinet at a charity in the north of England.

Volunteers at the Community Furniture Store in York were stunned to discovered a parcel containing the remains among a donation of old office equipment.

According to the label on the container, the ashes are the remains of Elizabeth Raitt, pictured, who stayed on Needless Road in Perth.

She died nearly 30 years ago and was cremated in Perth, nearly 300 miles from York.

Ros Batchelor, a trustee at the charity, said it is not known where the filing cabinet came from.”

She added: “We want to be able to return the ashes to someone who might find a resting place for them.”

Elizabeth died at Hillside Hospital on November 28 1992.

It is known that her husband Eric, who died in 2007, stayed on at the family home on Needless Road, and that the couple had two children – Ian and Fiona.

According to neighbours, Ian moved to South America and Fiona lived in Dundee.

The charity believes Fiona was a professor at Dundee Law School, who had recently retired.

One theory is that she moved to York – however, there are no records of her staying in that area.

One Needless Road resident said: “They were a lovely family and I hope these ashes get back to them as quickly as possible.”

Councillor Willie Wilson said: “I sincerely hope that this appeal through the pages of The Courier will reach them.”

During her time in Dundee, Fiona Raitt carried out research into police powers and interpretation of evidence.

According to a public notice in The Courier from 1992, donations were made at the funeral of Elizabeth Raitt to Multiple Sclerosis Scotland.