A new search is scheduled to begin for the bodies of a mother and her young child at the former residence of their convicted killer. The search for the remains of Renee MacRae and her son Andrew is set to commence 50 years after their unexplained disappearance at a property previously owned by William MacDowell, the murderer.
Law enforcement and military specialists are preparing to conduct an excavation on the land near MacDowell’s former property, which covers extensive acres. Following the revelation of ‘disturbed ground’ dating back to the time of Renee and Andrew’s disappearance in a historical survey of the site, experts from the Royal Engineers have been called in.
Forensic teams have been authorized to initiate excavations around MacDowell’s former residence, as reported by the Daily Record. The family members of Renee and Andrew have been informed of the latest developments. The mother and son vanished on November 12, 1976, with Renee’s burnt BMW car discovered near Dalmagarry Quarry, approximately 12 miles south of Inverness.
MacDowell, who passed away in the hospital five months after his conviction at the age of 81, took the secrets of the victims’ whereabouts to his grave. After evading justice for 45 years, he was eventually found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Police in Scotland have pledged to persist in their investigation until the remains are located. MacDowell, also known as Bill, resided near Inverness at the time of the murders and held the position of company secretary for a construction firm owned by Renee’s estranged husband, Gordon. He was dismissed from his job at the company when his affair with Renee was exposed.
At the time of her disappearance, Renee had anticipated meeting MacDowell for a weekend getaway before relocating to Shetland. The devoted mother, survived by her elder son Gordon, was deeply involved with MacDowell, resulting in the birth of their son Andrew within a year of their relationship.
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 a significant development last year, suspected items such as a potty and a carpet were discovered near the A9, close to Dalmagarry Quarry, where Renee’s car had been found ablaze in 1976.
Detective Superintendent Brian Geddes stated, “Our investigation into the murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae is ongoing, with officers exploring all possible leads.”