Man charged in connection with death of woman found in woodland 30 years ago

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Shona Stevens died after she was discovered badly injured on a path in woodland near her home in Irvine, North Ayrshire, on November 10, 1994 - a man has now been charged
A 67-year-old man has been charged following the death of a mother more than 30 years ago, police have confirmed.
Shona Stevens, 31, was discovered badly injured on a path in woodland near her home in Irvine, North Ayrshire, on November 10 1994. She later died in hospital.
On Friday, Police Scotland announced that a 67-year-old had been arrested - with an update on Saturday revealing the man has now been charged. It comes more than three decades after Ms Stevens was found injured on a footpath near the rear of Alder Green in the Bourtreehill Park area of Irvine.
Senior investigation officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Gillies said: "I would like to thank the members of the local community who assisted us in our inquiries. I am grateful for their information and input which greatly contributed to our investigation."
The man is now expected 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 Daily Record reports. 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.
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. But, 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 - a novelty keyring - which was recovered at the crime scene.
A Police Scotland statement released today read: "A 67-year-old man arrested in connection with the death of Shona Stevens has now been charged."