Man in court charged with murder of Scots mum after major breakthrough in cold case mystery after 30 years

Scottish Sun

5 days ago

Cops last week dropped the bombshell that they had arrested the pensioner – 31 years after Shona was found fatally injured
IN THE DOCK Man in court charged with murder of Scots mum after major breakthrough in cold case mystery after 30 years
A MAN has appeared in court accused of allegedly murdering a Scots mum more than three decades ago.
Fraser Kilpatrick, 67, stood in the dock at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court today, charged with killing young mum Shona Stevens in November 1994.
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Shona Stevens, 31, died in 1994
Credit: Scotland Police
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She was found fatally injured on a footpath near her home in Alder Green in Irvine
Credit: Police Scotland
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Cops last week revealed a man had been arrested and charged as part of their long-running investigation
Credit: Tom Farmer
The pensioner made no plea and was remanded in custody.
It comes after cops last week dropped the bombshell that they had arrested Kilpatrick – 31 years after Shona was found fatally injured just yards from her home in Middleton Park, Irvine.
The 31-year-old mum had popped out to the Co-op in Bourtreehill Shopping Centre - when she was allegedly attacked in broad daylight as she walked along a footpath next to a wooded area close to her house.
Shona was last seen around 1.10pm on Towerlands Road.
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Just ten minutes later, she was discovered with horrific injuries near Alder Green — only metres from home.
She was rushed to hospital but tragically died three days later, on Sunday, November 13, 1994.
At the time, she was living in Alder Green with her mum and her seven-year-old daughter Candice.
The incident left the community in shock, with locals fearing a killer was among them.
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But now, after a three-decade wait for answers, detectives have finally charged someone in relation to her death.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Gillies said: 'I would like to thank the members of the local community who assisted us in our inquiries.
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"I am grateful for their information and input, which greatly contributed to our investigation.'