A reward of £20,000 has been offered to help hunt down a killer who murdered a young Scots mum in a brutal attack 30 years ago.
Shona Stevens, 31, was found with serious injuries in a wooded area in Irvine, Ayrshire on Thursday, 10 November, 1994. She died in hospital three days later. Detectives probing her death have appealed to the public for information on the unsolved murder ahead of the anniversary of her death.
Her mum Mhairi Smith, 90, and Shona’s daughter, Candice Stevens, 37, asked for witnesses to come forward as the family has been unable to get closure.
In a joint statement released today they said: “We still want justice for Shona and your help would be greatly appreciated.
“We know it has been 30 years since Shona was taken from us but to us it seems like only yesterday. There is not a day that goes by that she is not in our thoughts and in our hearts. If you remember noticing or seeing anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, no matter how small, please let the police know.”
Shona was found just 200 yards from her home on a path in the town’s Bourtreehill Park area, near to the rear of Alder Green at around 1.20pm.
Around 20 minutes before she was found injured, she had walked to the Co-op shop in Bourtreehill shopping centre, and was last seen walking alone around 1.10pm on Towerlands Road.
Detectives believe she was hit with a blunt instrument – possibly a hammer – during the frenzied attack. No motive has ever been established. In 2021 police released an image of a distinctive keyring found at the scene in the hope someone would recognise it and come forward.
Crimestoppers has now offered a £20,000 reward to anyone with information who can help solve the case.
Detective Inspector Stuart Gillies from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team said: “Despite 30 years passing we are as determined as ever to track down the person responsible for Shona’s murder and ensure they face justice.
“A team of officers are dedicated to this investigation. They have been carrying out regular enquiries in the local area to gather any further information. They are supported by forensic scientists who ensure that all possible evidence is fully explored in line with any advances in science. We believe that the person responsible has local connections.
“They may have lived locally or had friends or family members there. Maybe someone has suspicions about someone in their life back then? We urge anyone with any information, or anyone who was in or around the wooded area between 11am and 1.20pm on Thursday, 10 November, 1994, to contact us.
“Even if you spoke to officers at the time or you think you do not hold any information relevant to Shona’s death, please come forward. You may hold the key to solving her murder. We are convinced that someone holds the final piece of information that will solve Shona’s murder and ease the suffering of her family.
“It is crucial we find answers for Shona’s mum Mhairi and her daughter Candice, to bring them some closure. Please come forward. We call on anyone with information to break their silence and contact us with any small detail that they may have withheld at the time. No matter how insignificant you may think it is, we urge you to contact us.”
Anyone with any information can contact Police Scotland through 101. You can also submit information via this link – http://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT18Z46-PO2 People can contact Crimestoppers anonymously via their website Crimestoppers-uk.org or calling their 24/7 UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111.
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