Renee accused ‘stayed silent when asked to join search for mum and son’
Gordon MacRae tells of plea to his wife’s lover after rumbling their affair
THE man accused of murdering missing mum Renee MacRae remained silent when asked to help search for her and their three-year-old son, a trial has heard.
William MacDowell denies killing Renee, who was 36 when she disappeared, and her son Andrew more than 45 years ago.
Renee’s estranged husband Gordon MacRae, 85, told the court he and Renee had an “amicable” relationship after their split.
He said he knew she was involved with somebody else but despite repeatedly asking if it was someone he employed at Hugh Macrae Builders Ltd, she would not reveal who it was.
Renee, of Inverness, has not been seen since the night of November 12, 1976.
MacDowell is charged with assaulting Renee and Andrew at the Dalmagarry layby on the A9 trunk road south of Inverness, and as a result murdering them.
He is also charged with disposing of their bodies and belongings by means unknown.
Mr MacRae told the jury he asked MacDowell, who was company secretary, into the boardroom in the days following the discovery of a burned-out BMW in the case, and after he found out it was MacDowell who was involved with her.
Mr MacRae said he told him: “If you can help the police in any way, please do.
“He didn’t say a word the whole time in the boardroom. Not a word.” He then fired MacDowell because of the relationship, the court was told, and he has never seen him again.
Murray Macara, KC, cross-examining, asked: “When police became involved, did you at any stage feel police suspected you might be involved in Renee’s disappearance?”
Mr MacRae said he did not and then told the court that police had asked to search his house.
Mr Macara put it to Mr MacRae that he used to visit a quarry with a then girlfriend and said to her: “If you fall out with me this is where you would end up.”
Mr MacRae described that as “absolute nonsense”.
MacDowell, 80, of Penrith, Cumbria,denies all charges against him and has said he was at home that evening after work.
He has lodged a special defence of incrimination and alibi, and claims it was Mr MacRae and others who committed the crime.
The trial at the High Court in Inverness continues.