On 12 November 1976, 36-year-old Renee MacRae and her 3-year-old son Andrew vanished near Inverness. That night, her BMW was found burning in a layby on the A9. Blood in the car pointed to murder — but no bodies were ever found.

For over 40 years, it was one of the UK’s most haunting cold cases.

Then, in 2019, police arrested William MacDowell — Renee’s secret lover and Andrew’s biological father. In 2022, he was found guilty of murdering them both. He died five months into his sentence, taking the truth of what he did and where Renee and Andrew were - with him.

This is part two of the story of Renee and Andrew MacRae.

Information and support

·      Samaritans UK Contact Us | Samaritans

·      Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) Home - AAFDA

·      Women’s Aid Home - Women's Aid

·      National Domestic Abuse Helpline UK 0808 2000 247

·      Mental health support USA Mental Health America | Homepage | Mental Health America

·      Domestic abuse helpline USA 1.800.799.SAFE Domestic Violence Support | National Domestic Violence Hotline

References

www.wizardradio.com

Murder Trial - A Dangerous Affair: Part 1 - BBC iPlayer

Inside Murder Trial - A Deadly Affair - Introducing... Inside Murder Trial - BBC Sounds

Renee MacRae: Man found guilty of killing lover and son in 1976 - BBC News

The 46-year-old murder mystery that haunted the Highlands - BBC News

Renee and Andrew MacRae: Police searching for bodies of mother and son murdered in 1976 examining item found in area linked to case | UK News | Sky News

Renee MacRae and Andrew potential new evidence found by A9 south of Inverness still being assessed by Police Scotland

Renee MacRae murder: Son of missing Inverness woman begs cops to find mum after 43 years of torture | The Scottish Sun

Renee MacRae: Killer dies months after conviction for 1976 murders - BBC News

Renee MacRae and Andrew murder detectives examine A9 discovery of child’s potty and carpet evidence near Inverness

HMA v William MacDowell

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