Latest news with #DavidGilroy
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Edinburgh's Suzanne Pilley's family issue plea for killer to reveal location of body
The family of an Edinburgh murder victim are pleading with her killer to end their 15 year torture and reveal where he hid her body. Suzanne Pilley disappeared in the capital back in 2010 when she was 38. Murderer David Gilroy is currently behind bars as he serves an 18-year sentence for the heinous crime but he continued to torment the family by failing to reveal the location of her remains. READ MORE: Edinburgh gangster Mark Richardson 'only allowing prison visits from right-hand man' READ MORE: The forgotten Edinburgh scheme where 'proud' locals say they feel 'abandoned' Speaking to the Sunday Mail for the first time in more than five years, Suzanne's sister Gail Fairgrieve and mum Sylvia Pilley told of the never ending heartache over the loss and lack of closure. Fighting back tears, Gail told the Mail: 'It's very difficult to explain the emotional impact. Every family situation, every birthday, every Christmas, every milestone. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. 'Suzanne was my Maid of Honour at my wedding. She never saw my 25th wedding anniversary. It's the same with my kids, she had a niece and a nephew who have had so many birthdays. And she wasn't there for it. He denied her that.' Gilroy, who was Suzanne's work colleague, was jailed for her murder in 2012. He is believed to have buried her body in a remote part of Argyll but has refused to divulge the location. Sylvia, who hasn't spoken publicly about the loss of her daughter since 2018, said: 'I know Suzanne had justice when he was put in prison but her life has been cut short. She really wanted a family and she has never been given that, and we miss her. That's really why we are doing this.' Gail said all the family now wants is 'to bring Suzanne home and celebrate the life she did have'. She added: 'That's everybody's final wish, so it would be a quite significant thing if [Gilroy] was to give us that information.' At a press conference on Wednesday organised by Victim Support Scotland, Gail and Sylvia were joined by family members of Arlene Fraser, another murdered woman whose body has never been found. Carol Gillies, sister of Arlene who disappeared in Elgin in 1998, revealed how she and Gail had bonded over their shared trauma – and become close allies in the campaign to introduce 'Suzanne's Law' in Scotland. The change, set to be delivered in the coming months, will make it harder for killers to be freed on parole if they don't disclose where their victims' bodies are. Gilroy is not eligible for parole until 2030 – however, in the case of Arlene's twice-convicted killer husband Nat Fraser, he could be freed as early as October 2028 under the current rules. With the two families sharing a public platform for the first time, Gail and Carol were asked if they took strength from each other. Carol said: 'Oh, absolutely. We're usually on the phone for about an hour and a half.' Arlene was last seen waving her kids off to school at her home in Elgin, Moray. Her disappearance sparked one of Scotland's largest ever police investigations. Fraser was first jailed for killing the 33-year-old in 2003 with the trial revealing she had been making plans to divorce him. His first conviction was quashed but he was found guilty again at a 2012 retrial. Despite repeated pleas to Fraser from the family to reveal her whereabouts, no trace of Arlene has ever been found. Speaking alongside mum Isabelle Thompson, Carol said: 'He controlled Arlene when she was alive and he's controlling her when she's dead. To have Nat Fraser in front of the parole board and all they are considering is... how he behaved in jail is just not enough. 'If he was to get out, then the truth would be gone forever.' Carol spoke powerfully about the 'mental torture' the family had endured with their shocking 27-year wait to find Arlene. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox She said: 'I think I sometimes feel guilty that I have a life. She was only 33 when she was taken. She wouldn't want me to feel guilty, she would want me to live my life. But she has missed out on so much… "I feel that Arlene now comes under the heading of 'remains'. I still see her as a person... she's still a person to us.' The families' joint press conference followed a 'positive' meeting with Justice Secretary Angela Constance on their calls to toughen parole rules. Under an amendment to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill, there will be a requirement that the Parole Board 'must' take into account when killers refuse to disclose remains in decisions on whether to release them.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Families fight to block parole for murderers who refuse to reveal location of their victims
The families of victims involved in Scotland's highest profile murder cases are demanding convicted killers be refused parole unless they reveal where they dumped the bodies. Arlene Fraser was murdered by her husband Nat Fraser in Moray in 1998 after waving her children off to school. Her remains have never been found. Edinburgh bookkeeper Suzanne Pilley's body has also not been discovered despite her former lover David Gilroy being convicted of killing her and getting rid of her remains in remote woods in 2010. Gilroy's public denial began after he was confronted on camera by Sky News weeks after Ms Pilley, 38, vanished. He lied and said he was not involved in her death. Asked directly if he killed Ms Pilley, he replied: "I've got nothing to say, I've assisted the police with questions." He was later arrested, convicted and jailed for at least 18 years. The families of Ms Fraser and Ms Pilley joined forces to host a media conference in Glasgow on Wednesday after a meeting with Scotland's justice secretary to discuss upcoming changes to parole legislation. Both Fraser and Gilroy are serving mandatory life sentences, but Fraser will be eligible for parole in October 2028 and Gilroy in March 2030. Original plans to strengthen the law in Scotland would have seen killers being compelled to reveal the location of their victim's bodies or face having their parole rejected. But Scottish ministers have accepted a proposed amendment that states parole boards "must" take into account the refusal to cooperate. Under current legislation, parole board rules dictate that it "may" be taken into account. Ms Pilley's sister, Gail Fairgrieve, said: "The parole board needs to understand that his crime is still continuing, he is perpetrating the crime against us. We are still dealing with this every day. "Everyday events - like you go into a card shop and you can't buy anything for your sister. It is there constantly, and he has information that could put us at ease. There is no remorse." Carol Gillies, Ms Fraser's sister, said: "It's a form of mental torture. He has that information, there is no doubt about it." Talking directly to killer Fraser, Ms Gillies said: "This is your choice. Tell us more or go back to your cell." Justice Secretary Angela Constance denied watering down the plans amid recent accusations of a "betrayal" to victims. The MSP told Sky News the families of murder victims gave their support to the proposals. She said: "Right now the parole board doesn't have to take this information into consideration. What I am saying is that I have and will continue to work with parliament to ensure that the law changes so that the parole board must take this into account." In England Helen's Law was introduced in 2021; denying killers parole until they reveal where they hid victims' remains. It was named after Helen McCourt who was killed in 1988. The English law has prevented several murderers from being released. The new Scottish legislation is likely to come into force within the next year.
Sky News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Families fight to block parole for murderers who refuse to reveal location of their victims
The families of victims involved in Scotland's highest profile murder cases are demanding convicted killers be refused parole unless they reveal where they dumped the bodies. Arlene Fraser was murdered by her husband Nat Fraser in Moray in 1998 after waving her children off to school. Her remains have never been found. Edinburgh bookkeeper Suzanne Pilley's body has also not been discovered despite her former lover David Gilroy being convicted of killing her and getting rid of her remains in remote woods in 2010. Gilroy's public denial began after he was confronted on camera by Sky News weeks after Ms Pilley, 38, vanished. He lied and said he was not involved in her death. Asked directly if he killed Ms Pilley, he replied: "I've got nothing to say, I've assisted the police with questions." He was later arrested, convicted and jailed for at least 18 years. The families of Ms Fraser and Ms Pilley joined forces to host a media conference in Glasgow on Wednesday after a meeting with Scotland's justice secretary to discuss upcoming changes to parole legislation. Both Fraser and Gilroy are serving mandatory life sentences, but Fraser will be eligible for parole in October 2028 and Gilroy in March 2030. Original plans to strengthen the law in Scotland would have seen killers being compelled to reveal the location of their victim's bodies or face having their parole rejected. But Scottish ministers have accepted a proposed amendment that states parole boards "must" take into account the refusal to cooperate. Under current legislation, parole board rules dictate that it "may" be taken into account. Ms Pilley's sister, Gail Fairgrieve, said: "The parole board needs to understand that his crime is still continuing, he is perpetrating the crime against us. We are still dealing with this every day. "Everyday events - like you go into a card shop and you can't buy anything for your sister. It is there constantly, and he has information that could put us at ease. There is no remorse." Carol Gillies, Ms Fraser's sister, said: "It's a form of mental torture. He has that information, there is no doubt about it." Talking directly to killer Fraser, Ms Gillies said: "This is your choice. Tell us more or go back to your cell." Justice Secretary Angela Constance denied watering down the plans amid recent accusations of a "betrayal" to victims. The MSP told Sky News the families of murder victims gave their support to the proposals. She said: "Right now the parole board doesn't have to take this information into consideration. What I am saying is that I have and will continue to work with parliament to ensure that the law changes so that the parole board must take this into account." In England Helen's Law was introduced in 2021; denying killers parole until they reveal where they hid victims' remains. It was named after Helen McCourt who was killed in 1988. The English law has prevented several murderers from being released. The new Scottish legislation is likely to come into force within the next year.
Irish Independent
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Meath host centre for Ukrainian families closes amid speculation over hotel's future
Councillor David Gilroy took to social media to describe the moment as 'a sad day' for the community after the last remaining residents moved out this week. He said: 'As many people will be aware, the host centre for our Ukrainian friends formally closed its doors. The last of the families moved out, some were relocated to other centres while others had managed to secure accommodation locally.' 'Anyone who knows anything about our town and the relationships of friendship that have developed over the last number of years will know that it's a sad day.' Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, just like many towns across the country, Athboy became a temporary home for many who were displaced. 'From day one our community opened our arms and ensured that those fleeing war felt as safe and at home as possible. That will always stand as a testament to our true community ethos,' the Independent councillor said. 'Those that have gone will be missed and I, like you, wish them well for the future and in time that they too can go home safely.' However, Cllr Gilroy also addressed what he called the 'rumour mill,' which has been circulating locally and on social media regarding speculation that the hotel facility will be used as an IPAS centre. 'In the interest of clarity, I have made inquiries on this and spoken to the people who know the facts on this matter. I can assure anyone who is interested that these rumours are untrue.' He added: 'It is my understanding that the future of the premises is that it is intended to return to regular trading in the coming months.' 'I believe that in some quarters temperatures are high on this issue, it's important to remember that some of the most destructive forces in a community are rumour and speculation — but it's my belief that that is all it is.'
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Former Edinburgh police chief says murderers 'must reveal where bodies are to get parole'
A former police chief who brought killer Peter Tobin to justice says he backs calls for murderers who do not reveal where victims' bodies are to be kept in prison. David Swindle told the Daily Record podcast, Criminal Record, that he backs Suzanne's Law. This demands that killers must disclose their victim's whereabouts if they are to be considered for parole. The Scottish Government has included a proposal for Suzanne's Law in the Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill which is going through parliament. READ MORE: Edinburgh gangsters go on six-day rampage armed with 'gun', machetes and knife READ MORE: Edinburgh man rushed to hospital after being 'stabbed' in tenement flat terror Suzanne's Law is named after office worker Suzanne Pilley, who was murdered by colleague and ex David Gilroy in 2010. He was sentenced to life in 2012 but has never revealed what he did with her body, which is believed to be buried in Argyll. Other high-profile cases include Arlene Fraser, Margaret Fleming and Lynda Spence. Swindle, who probed more than 100 murders in a 34-year police career, said: 'We need to have something like a Suzanne's Law to stop people getting out if they don't reveal what they did with the body. 'With Suzanne Pilley her body has never been found and there is a person convicted of that, the same as Arlene Fraser, Margaret Fleming and Lynda Spence. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox 'These people have never revealed what they did with the bodies. If they don't reveal what they did they should not then be eligible for parole. If your loved one is murdered by someone who is in prison and has never revealed what they did with the body you would not want them to get out." Swindle, who retired in 2011, says a murder without a body leaves victims' families in limbo. He added: 'People think by destroying the body that there is no evidence but you will still be caught." England and Wales already have a similar measure – Helen's Law. Suzanne's dad Rob died in 2019 without knowing where she was buried. Detectives believe Gilroy killed her in the building where they worked in Edinburgh after he confronted her over ending their affair. Arlene, from Elgin, Moray, vanished from her home in 1998 after her children went to school. Her husband Nat Fraser, who is serving life for her murder, has refused to say what became of his wife. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Avril Jones and Edward Cairney were jailed for life in 2019 for killing Margaret, 19, at their home in Inverkip. They refused to say where they put her. Financial adviser Lynda was abducted, tortured and killed in 2011. Colin Coats and Philip Wade were convicted of killing the 27-year-old Glaswegian in 2013. Her body has never been found. Swindle led the probe into Tobin's murder of Polish student Angelika Kluk in Glasgow in 2006 for which he got life. He set up Operation Anagram which led to Tobin being convicted of the murders of Vicky Hamilton, 15, and Dinah McNicol, 18. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "The Justice Secretary supported an amendment at Stage 2 in May which requires the Parole Board to take account of whether the prisoner has information about the disposal of the victim's remains but has not disclosed it. "If the Bill is passed then this will become law."
