A new search operation is scheduled to begin at the former residence of a notorious killer in the pursuit of locating the bodies of a mother and her young child.
The quest to find the remains of Renee MacRae and her son Andrew is slated to commence five decades after their puzzling disappearance at a property once owned by the murderer William MacDowell.
Law enforcement and military specialists are gearing up to launch a dig on the grounds near the property, which covers a significant area. Following the revelation of “disturbed ground” dating back to the time of Renee and three-year-old Andrew’s disappearance in a historical survey of the location, experts from the Royal Engineers have been brought in for assistance.
Forensic teams have been granted approval to start excavations around MacDowell’s former residence, as reported by the Daily Record.
Relatives of Renee and Andrew have been informed about the latest developments. The mother and son went missing on November 12, 1976. Renee’s burnt-out BMW car was discovered in a lay-by near Dalmagarry Quarry, approximately 12 miles south of Inverness. MacDowell, aged 81, carried his secrets regarding the whereabouts of the victims’ bodies to his grave, passing away in a hospital five months post-conviction.
After evading justice for 45 years, MacDowell was eventually found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Police in Scotland have pledged to persist in the investigation until the remains are located. MacDowell, also known as Bill, resided near Inverness during the time of the murders and served as the company secretary for a construction firm owned by Renee’s estranged husband, Gordon. MacDowell was dismissed from his position at the company when his affair with Renee was revealed.
During her disappearance, Renee had anticipated meeting MacDowell for a weekend getaway before relocating to Shetland. The devoted mother, survived by her eldest son Gordon, was deeply in love with MacDowell. Within a year of their affair starting, she became pregnant with their son Andrew.
MacDowell, an inmate at HMP Glenochil in Alloa, passed away at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in February 2023, just a year into his sentence. In March of the previous year, a breakthrough in the case occurred when items suspected to be a potty and a carpet were discovered near the A9.
These items were found in close proximity to a lay-by near Dalmagarry Quarry, south of Inverness, where Renee’s car was found ablaze on November 12, 1976, with no trace of her or her son.
Detective Superintendent Brian Geddes stated, “Our investigation into the murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae remains ongoing, and officers are exploring all available leads.”