Murder She Spoke

Episode 67: Jess McPherson. This week Emma takes us back to 1860's Glasgow for the case of Jess McPherson, whose case is one of four notorious murders which took place in an infamous area of Glasgow known as the Square Mile of Murder.
Emma describes the historic significance of this case as the police used early versions of forensic photography in the investigation, which was a first in Scotland.
We hear how widely publicised the case was at the time and how invested the people of Scotland had become in the story of murder and deception surrounding an upper class family.
Furthermore we hear how, following the verdict and sentencing, public outrage led to a review of the case and ultimately impacted the final sentence delivered.


Case research by Emma Taylor
Produced by Emma Taylor & Joannagh Shanks
Editing by Shaun O'Neill
Music by Tribe of Noise


Sources of research:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0ZAtEsrjAA

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1863-04-24/debates/28a0158a-4c32-424d-8f27-674da559442f/TheGlasgowMurder%E2%80%94CaseOfJessieMaclachlan

https://the-line-up.com/the-sandyford-murder-case-of-1862

https://squaremileofmurder.com/sandyford-place/

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/18958222.mystery-ballerina-margot-fonteyns-family-notorious-glasgow-murder-case/

https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/glasgow-square-mile-murder-95158

https://www.advocacy.website/scottish-trials-of-note/sandyford-murder

https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/glasgow-square-mile-murder-95158

Episode 66: Lynda Hunter. This week Joannagh brings us the story of Lynda Hunter, a 30-year-old woman from Carnoustie, who went missing in August 1987.
Joannagh tells us how Lynda was known to be around 6 weeks pregnant when she went missing and was also with her 14-year-old dog Shep, adding further concern to the already troubling disappearance
We hear how reports of a troubled marriage raised suspicions around Lynda's husband, before a grim woodland discovery led to a break in the case.
Additionally we are told how revelations from this investigation led to questions being raised about some earlier tragedies and whether or not they could be linked to Lynda's case.


Case research by Joannagh Shanks
Produced by Emma Taylor & Joannagh Shanks
Editing by Shaun O'Neill
Music by Tribe of Noise


Sources of research:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73myvhyGDTQ

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/a-sex-mad-killer-in-the-salvation-army-960821

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/angus-mearns/694627/landmark-dog-lead-strangler-crimewatch-murder-trial-remembered-30-years-on-by-community/

https://www.pressreader.com/uk/scottish-daily-mail/20180804/281956018600095

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11922460.husband-loses-murder-appeal/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ColdCaseUK/comments/e5d2fx/the_templeton_woods_murders_two_cold_case_murders/

Episode 65: Sandy Drummond. This week Emma tells us of the mysterious death of Sandy Drummond, a 33-year-old former soldier, found murdered in Boarhills, Fife, on the 24th of June 1991.
Emma describes how Police failings in the immediate aftermath of Sandy's body being discovered meant that potentially key forensic data could not be gathered from the crime scene.
We hear about unusual behaviour displayed by Sandy in the days leading up to his death, which led those close to him to believe there was something amiss. We hear, also, how rumours of bullying in the workplace could point to a motive and led some in the community to name potential suspects.

Case research by Emma Taylor
Produced by Emma Taylor & Joannagh Shanks
Editing by Shaun O'Neill
Music by Tribe of Noise


Sources of research:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTfdmA6KzzM

https://archive.news.stv.tv/archive/1358421-victim-of-unsolved-murder-killed-by-ju-jitsu-stranglehold.html

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scotlands-unsolved-murders-mystery-devoted-22208850

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/MIRROR+CRIMEBUSTERS%3a+Distraught+mum+died+in+torment+while+son%27s...-a072972920

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12335468.hope-for-new-leads-in-fife-murder/

http://www.enormouscrime.com/sandy-drummond-scotland-perplexed/

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/past-times/2161078/unsolved-murder-sandy-drummonds-tragic-death-still-remains-one-of-fifes-most-notorious-cold-cases/
Unsolved Murders documentary aired in 2004

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/past-times/2161078/unsolved-murder-sandy-drummonds-tragic-death-still-remains-one-of-fifes-most-notorious-cold-cases/

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12544677.inquiry-ordered-into-death-of-man-found-on-farm-track/

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12741252.claim-of-cover-up-over-murder-report/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73myvhyGDTQ

Episode 64: Gordon Johnston. This week Joannagh brings us the story of Gordon Johnston.
Gordon was a 53-year-old man who, in May 1989, was attacked and killed during a violent robbery of the gun and fishing equipment shop where he had worked for 37 years.
Joannagh describes how this vicious robbery was part of a wider series of crimes planned by Gordon's killers which would have included kidnapping and extortion.
We hear how a combination of the conscience of a family member and the killers' own bungling plans, gave Police the breakthrough in the case they needed to catch and charge them with Gordon's murder.

Case research by Emma Taylor
Produced by Emma Taylor & Joannagh Shanks
Editing by Shaun O'Neill
Music by Tribe of Noise


Sources of research:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73myvhyGDTQ

https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/2014/01/31/gows-of-dundee-owner-the-store-meant-everything-to-me/

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11970054.two-jailed-for-life-after-atrocity-at-gun-shop/

https://www.ddtours.co.uk/archive/gordon-johnston-1989/

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19890515/102/0009

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19890517/114/0007

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19890520/053/0004

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12245701.cruel-and-sadistic-killer-has-release-hopes-dashed/

Episode 63: Sheila Anderson. This week Emma brings us the story of Sheila Anderson, a 27-year-old sex worker from Edinburgh who died from injuries sustained in a brutal vehicular attack in April 1983.
We hear how a distrust of Police by the city's sex workers made it difficult to gather evidence, and would eventually lead to the Police making significant changes to their treatment and Policing of sex work and sex workers.
Emma also tells us of the appeals made for further information years after the murder took place, and the hope that justice may be done one day due to the major advances in DNA technology.

Case research by Emma Taylor
Produced by Emma Taylor & Joannagh Shanks
Editing by Shaun O'Neill
Music by Tribe of Noise


Sources of research:

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scotlands-unsolved-murders-sex-worker-22222138

https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburghs-brutal-unsolved-murder-remembering-18458452

https://www.truecrimelibrary.com/crimearticle/sheila-anderson/

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/scottish-news/1857230/unsolved-scotland-sheila-anderson-murder-edinburgh/

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/whats-on/things-to-do/former-top-cop-reveals-secrets-policing-edinburghs-violent-and-burgeoning-sex-trade-1381894

https://www.heraldscotland.com/default_content/12462843.police-involved-unsolved-murder-case-quizzed/

https://www.heraldscotland.com/default_content/12463322.police-fresh-1983-edinburgh-prostitute-murder-plea/

https://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2009/02/26/cops-in-tv-appeal-for-1983-murder-671/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7915135.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7911041.stm

https://deadlinescotland.wordpress.com/tag/sheila-anderson/

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Hunt+for+brute+after+car+crash+mutilation+of+hooker+Sheila%3B+UNSOLVED%3A...-a0172078678

HIV, drugs and the sex trade in Edinburgh, Jane Hamilton for Daily Record 20/06/20
Violence and Sex Work in Britain - Hilary Kinnell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp6Z03EMv4w - Crimewatch special around 36 minute mark

Episode 62: Emma Faulds. This week Joannagh brings us the story of Emma Faulds, a 39-year-old woman from Kilmarnock, whose sudden disappearance in April 2019 sparked panic amongst her family.
Joannagh details the immediate concern that was expressed at the time for the wellbeing of Emma, given how out of character the disappearance was, and the fears of the police that she may have come to some harm.
We hear how investigators combined CCTV footage with some additional circumstantial evidence to arrest a suspect in the disappearance. We also hear how detailed and methodical police work allowed a 300 square mile potential search area to be narrowed down to just 10-15 square miles, and revealed a damning discovery which sealed the fate of the suspect.


Case research by Joannagh Shanks
Produced by Emma Taylor & Joannagh Shanks
Editing by Shaun O'Neill
Music by Tribe of Noise


Sources of research:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/emma-faulds-murder-ross-willox-b1870674.html

https://www.centralfifetimes.com/news/national/19389485.selfish-arrogant-former-prison-officer-jailed-murder-emma-faulds/

https://www.scotsman.com/news/crime/emma-faulds-murder-ross-willox-jailed-for-killing-friend-and-hiding-her-body-in-galloway-forest-3281956

https://news.stv.tv/west-central/five-pieces-of-evidence-that-caught-emma-faulds-killer?top

https://www.scottishlegal.com/article/former-prison-officer-murdered-friend-and-disposed-of-body-in-woodland

https://www.scotland.police.uk/what-s-happening/news/2021/may/ross-willox-found-guilty-of-the-murder-of-emma-faulds-in-ayrshire-2019/

https://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/national-news/17626502.family-utterly-distraught-disappearance-missing-emma-faulds/

https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/national-news/17703490.body-found-forest-search-missing-emma-faulds/

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/family-issue-desperate-appeal-find-16212626

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/ex-prison-officer-ross-willox-24427993

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-57561349

https://www.pressreader.com/uk/daily-record/20210701/281844351615498

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17703417.human-remains-discovered-search-emma-faulds/

Episode 61: Rory Blackhall. This week Emma brings us the story of Rory Blackhall, an 11-year-old boy from Livingston who went missing after being dropped off at his primary school on 18th August 2005.
We hear how recent upheaval in Rory's home life led some to believe he may have run away, or that he may have been vulnerable and open to manipulation.
Emma also tells us how the assistance of the public led police to the home of their only suspect, who would do anything to avoid facing justice.

Case research by Emma Taylor
Produced by Emma Taylor & Joannagh Shanks
Editing by Shaun O'Neill
Music by Tribe of Noise


Sources of research:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/town-shock-police-hunt-schoolboy-s-killer-307878.html

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/aug/30/ukcrime.gerardseenan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4805506.stm

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Our+lost+boy%3B+Rory+Blackhall.-a0135543643

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12483367.revealed-suspect-for-rory-murder-was-listed-as-a-risk-to-children-on-police-files-failings-expose-crisis-in-justice-system-with-more-than-30000-outstanding-criminal-warrants/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-360177/The-mystery-schoolboy-Rorys-murder.html

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/rory-11-was-killed-by-suspected-555639

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/scottish-police-say-boy-11-was-asphyxiated-1.1181628

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/the-last-kiss-931181

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4172262.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4172262.stm

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2005-08-23/schoolboy-murder-investigation-opened-in-scotland/2087206?pfmredir=sm

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2005/08/23/Police-Boy-may-have-known-killer/64461124850516/?ur3=1

https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/technology-company-trouble-murder-copy/527797

Episode 60: Elaine Doyle. This week Joannagh brings us the story of Elaine Doyle, a 16-year-old girl from Greenock who was attacked and killed on her way home from a night out in June of 1986. We hear how the appeals by the Police and the Media for witnesses to come forward yielded little of use to the investigation.
Joannagh also tells us how unusually careful collection and storage of DNA evidence for the time - in which DNA evidence was in its infancy - led to a breakthrough in the case when the evidence was re-examined 28 years later.


Case research by Joannagh Shanks
Produced by Emma Taylor & Joannagh Shanks
Editing by Shaun O'Neill
Music by Tribe of Noise


Sources of research:

https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/search-judgments/judgment?id=bda315a7-8980-69d2-b500-ff0000d74aa7

https://www.copfs.gov.uk/media-site-news-from-copfs/633-first-cold-case-unit-indictment-served-for-historic-murder-case

https://www.copfs.gov.uk/media-site-news-from-copfs/813-life-sentence-for-first-cold-case-murder-conviction-in-scotland

https://www.mcsporrans.com/Latest-News/criminal-law-scotland/elaine-doyle-murder-john-docherty-can-appeal-without-any-limitations.html

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-28673054

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-36342459

https://www.chillingcrimes.com/blogs/news/samantha-ann-clarke

https://www.scottishlegal.com/article/john-docherty-loses-appeal-against-conviction-and-sentence-for-murder-of-elaine-doyle

https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/17954599.near-30-year-hunt-catch-elaine-doyles-killer-will-brought-tv-screens-month/

https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/17957201.murder-detective-it-honour-get-justice-elaine-doyles-family/

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jun/17/dna-evidence-murder-elaine-doyle

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/4826210/elaine-doyle-murder-greenock/

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/who-elaine-doyle-murdered-greenock-20560541

https://www.reddit.com/r/ColdCaseUK/comments/dhnbwb/murdered_greenock_teen_elaine_doyle_was_killed_on/

https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-sunday-post-newcastle/20191020/284502935166019

https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/uk-elaine-doyle-16-found-murdered-inverclyde-scotland-2-june-1986.234625/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS2mrtZBVwA

Episode 59: Colin Marr. This week Emma brings us the story of Colin Marr, a 23-year-old man who, after an argument in his home in 2007, was killed by a single stab wound to the chest.
Whilst Colin's death was ruled a suicide, the strange circumstances surrounding the incident led his family to pursue the case further.
Emma tells us how the family enlisted the help of respected pathologists and former detectives to cast doubts on the official version of events.
We also hear how substandard Police work at the scene of Colin's death, and in the further investigation, resulted in a number of complaints being raised and could have resulted in valuable forensic evidence being missed.


Case research by Emma Taylor
Produced by Emma Taylor & Joannagh Shanks
Editing by Shaun O'Neill
Music by Tribe of Noise


Sources of research:

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/336426/Death-probe-family-in-police-switch-plea

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-56174584

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/scottish-news/6916041/fife-suicide-colin-marr-murder-claims-forensic-pathologist/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-57156414

https://stedmood.ru/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-27870942

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/police-reopen-inquiry-into-mystery-of-fathers-death-bzgctzrdxbk

https://www.dailyadvent.com/gb/news/7dcb5dac64675977db90a4714ab37128-Crown-Office-review-death-of-Lochgelly-man-Colin-Marr-after-new-lines-of-inquiry-identified

http://rocknyc.live/an-unsolved-scottish-case-shows-striking-similarities-with-elliott-smiths-case.html

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=633525183414024&set=p.633525183414024

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/DID+YOU+KILL+HIM%3F+COLIN+MARR+DIED+WITH+A+KNIFE+IN+HIS+CHEST+AFTER+A...-a0249483075

https://www.casecheck.co.uk/fatal-accident-inquiry-into-the-death-of-colin-marr-sheriff-principal-robert-alastair-dunlop-dunfermline-sheriff-court-21st-april-2011.html

https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/colin-marr-family-call-for-authorities-to-face-criminal-investigation/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNmuvhR7MrxNX_PxeicyVbg

https://spf.org.uk/jcc-circular-15-of-2021-death-of-colin-marr/

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13176411.revealed-watchdog-savages-police-failings-single-stab-death-case/

https://www.pressreader.com/uk/scottish-daily-mail/20150808/281779922846953

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/parents-knife-death-man-colin-3819572

https://www.centralfifetimes.com/news/19313768.death-lochgelly-man-considered-murder-new-evidence-suggests/

https://scotcourts.gov.uk/search-judgments/judgment?id=e8a88aa6-8980-69d2-b500-ff0000d74aa7

https://www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/19334063.inverkeithing-new-lines-inquiry-death-colin-marr/

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/crime/prosecutors-pursue-new-lines-of-inquiry-into-colin-marr-fatal-stabbing-in-fife-nearly-14-years-ago-3242489

https://www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/13517913.mums-anger-as-more-police-flaws-are-revealed-in-marr-case/

Episode 58: Maggie Dickson. This week Joannagh delves into the history books to bring us the bizarre story of Maggie Dickson.
Convicted of killing her newborn baby in 1724, Maggie was jailed and sentenced to be hanged.
Joannagh describes some of the now outdated aspects of life in Edinburgh in the 1700's, particularly the obsolete medical techniques used to convict Maggie.
We also hear how a less than thorough medical examination, and the very specific wording of a law, led to Maggie Dickson going down in the history books as "Half-Hangit Maggie".



Case research by Joannagh Shanks
Produced by Emma Taylor & Joannagh Shanks
Editing by Shaun O'Neill
Music by Tribe of Noise


Sources of research:

https://diggingup1800.com/half-hangit-maggie-the-woman-who-survived-a-hanging/

https://digital.nls.uk/broadsides/view/?id=16830&criteria=dickson

https://ewh.org.uk/learning/classroom-resources/old-edinburgh/auld-reekie/

https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/d/maggiedickson.html

http://www.the-grassmarket.com/history/maggie-dickson.html

https://www.thenational.scot/news/18685609.back-day-legend-half-hangit-maggie-dickson/

https://random-times.com/2020/01/18/half-hangit-maggie-dickson-the-woman-who-survived-the-hangmans-noose/

https://www.spookyisles.com/margaret-dickson/

https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/half-hangit-maggie-scots-woman-who-survived-hanging-622567

https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/gardyloo-grim-story-unsanitary-edinburgh-1480434

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Tolbooth,_Edinburgh

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/lost-edinburgh-old-tolbooth-prison-1554328

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/728/

https://murderpedia.org/female.D/d/dickson-margaret.htm