Man charged over death of Shona Stevens in Irvine more than 30 years ago
A man has been charged in connection with the death of Irvine mum Shona Stevens over 30 years ago.
Shona Stevens, 31, was found with significant head injuries on a footpath in a wooded area near to the rear of Alder Green in the Bourtreehill Park area of Irvine on Thursday, November 10, 1994 and died later in hospital.
A 67-year-old has been arrested and charged and is now due to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Monday, July 28.
The frenzied attack happened just 200 yards from the mum's Ayrshire home, as she walked to the Co-op shop in Bourtreehill shopping centre.
Shona was last seen walking alone on Towerlands Road just 10 minutes before she was found.
The police investigation was hampered after crucial evidence from the crime scene was feared to have been blown away by the downdraught of the helicopter airlifting Shona to hospital in Glasgow but she died three days later.
Five weeks later, her body was laid to rest in her mum's hometown of Portree on Skye. It was the third murder recorded in the town in 1994, leaving many local residents in fear - especially as Shona's killer walked freely.
Police Scotland announced last year that they were 'determined' that the killer would be caught.
Her death was being re-investigated as part of a cold case review. At the time, officers were hopeful that advancements in science could lead to a break through.
Shona's case was featured on BBC's Crimewatch Live in 2021. A £10,000 reward was offered for any information leading to the arrest of the killer.
As part of the appeal, viewers were told about an unusual object which was recovered at the crime scene. A novelty keyring was recovered, despite other evidence potentially being destroyed.
A Police Scotland statement read: "A 67-year-old man arrested in connection with the death of Shona Stevens has now been charged."
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