40 years and still no justice for my Renee
Sister desperate to see killer in court
THE sister of a murdered housewife has slammed prosecutors and police for failing to bring to justice the killer of her sibling and nephew 40 years ago.
Morag Govans hit out as the anniversary approaches of the disappearance of millionaire’s wife Renee MacRae and her three-yearold son Andrew on November 12, 1976.
The pair were due to meet Renee’s secret lover – her husband’s company accountant Bill MacDowell – to spend a weekend away.
But when 36- year- old Renee’s blue BMW was found ablaze in a lay- by at Dalmagarry, 11 miles south of Inverness, it was the start of a mystery which remains unsolved to this day.
No trace of Renee, or Andrew, has ever been found.
Renee’s sister Morag, 76, last night urged the Crown Office to bring the killer to justice.
“I still find it incredible that no one has ever been taken to court,” she said.
“There have been files gone to the Crown Office which contain a lot of evidence – not that the police have kept me informed over the years.
“I don’t think they have anything to lose by taking someone to court now.
“I am disappointed they haven’t.
“I know there is someone out there who could give us the information we need to find Renee and Andrew. I don’t understand how anyone could shield a monster like that.”
Renee separated from her husband, Inverness businessman Gordon MacRae, on the year of her disappearance and lived with her sons Gordon and Andrew. Andrew was in fact Mr MacDowell’s son – a fact he only confirmed a few days after a major investigation was launched by Northern Constabulary. Mr MacDowell has always maintained he did not see the pair all day and both he and Mr Mac Rae were able to provide police with firm alibis for their whereabouts that evening four decades ago.
In 2004, Northern Constabulary launched a cold case inquiry and extensive excavations were carried out at Dalmagarry quarry, but to no avail.
Former chief constable Ian Latimer authorised the excavation and Morag said that was the only time she was kept updated on the investigation.
She said: “My criticism is not directed at the police involved in the search of the Dalmagarry Quarry. They kept me informed in everything they did.
“Up until then they never did and I don’t know what they are doing or planning to do just now. They don’t tell you anything.”
Leanach quarry in Culloden Moor has also featured heavily in police investigations.
Naval divers searched it for two days after an underwater camera filmed what appeared to be a head wrapped in a supermarket carrier bag.
It was not known if the right bag had been found but police said Leanach had been eliminated from the inquiry.
The image of the head was released to the press and published in November 1977.
Morag believes Leanach should not be ruled out unless the 40ft deep quarry is drained completely. The image of the head haunted her for years.
“That was horrendous for me,” she said.
“The police never told me they were going to do that, I opened a paper and saw it.
“Even the thought of it being one of them disturbs me.
“It has all got to be somewhere – two bodies, a pushchair and whatever luggage they had, it’s a lot of things to dispose of.
“So many years have gone by, I wonder if they will ever solve it.
“But bringing someone to court could make the difference.”
I still find it incredible that no one has ever been taken to court