Police issue fresh appeal over 1973 murder of Portadown teenager Marian Beattie
Marian Beattie was just 18 years old when she was murdered.
Her body was found at the bottom of a quarry near Aughnacloy in 1973, after she attended a charity dance at Hadden's Garage on Friday March 30, 1973 to listen to her brother play in a band.
Marian was last seen leaving the dance with a young man just after 1am and walking in the direction of Hadden's Quarry.
Her body was discovered at the bottom of the nearby quarry shortly after 6am the following morning, Saturday March 31.
The PSNI have said that detectives from the Legacy Investigation Branch are now reviewing the case.
They have issued a renewed appeal to the public for information about the circumstances surrounding her death.
Detective Inspector Thompson said: 'We believe Marian left the dance at Hadden's Garage with a man, walking in the direction of the nearby car park at the top of Hadden's Quarry about 400 yards away from the garage.
"We do not know what happened next but Marian's body was found at the bottom of the quarry approximately 80-100ft below the car park.
'I appreciate this murder took place over 50 years ago but we would like to talk to anyone who was at the dance at Hadden's Garage on the night of Friday, 30th March 1973.
"Marian went there with a girlfriend to listen to her brother's band. Did you see who she was dancing with or speaking with?
"Did you see her leave the dance with a man? Do you know who he was? Did you see her in the car park at the quarry any time after 1.15am on the Saturday morning?
'Additionally, do you remember anyone who was at the dance returning home distressed or with dirt on their clothes? Has anyone ever talked about the events of that night?'
Earlier this month Marian's family pledged never to give up on their fight for justice.
Marian's unsolved murder is one of Northern Ireland's most enduring murder mysteries and was revisited during a new series of true crime stories by Irish broadcaster TG4.
Her brother Gerard told the programme: 'We have put a memorial stone up near enough at the quarry where Marian was and hopefully it will turn somebody's mind over.
'I'm not going to let it go — people tell you it does get easier, it definitely doesn't.
DI Thompson added: 'Marian's family deserve to know what happened to her that night.
"I am appealing to anyone who may be able to help us progress the investigation and bring some closure to the Beattie family to come forward and speak to Detectives in Legacy Investigation Branch. Detectives can be contacted by calling 101.
"Alternatively a report can be made online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport and also via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.'
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