news

Shona Stevens: Crimestoppers offer £20,000 reward for information 30 years after mother’s murder

Vaseline2 weeks ago

0 4 minutes read

Shona Stevens: Crimestoppers offer £20,000 reward for information 30 years after mother’s murder

The daughter of a woman murdered 30 years ago has said ‘not a day goes by that she is not alive in our hearts’ as a £20,000 reward has been offered for information identifying her killer.

Shona Stevens was found badly assaulted just 200 yards from her home in the Bourtreehill Park area of Irvine on November 10, 1994.

The mother of one suffered serious head injuries and died days later in hospital.

She had been to the Co-op store in Bourtreehill Shopping Center at around 1pm on the day of the attack before leaving on foot and was last seen alone on Towerlands Road at around 1.10pm.

Just ten minutes later, she was discovered badly affected a few meters from her home in a wooded area.

Shona Stevens with daughter Candice STV news

Thirty years after the brutal murder, police have released a statement from Shona’s mother Mhairi Smith, aged 90, and her daughter Candice Stevens, who was seven when her mother was murdered.

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 just yesterday. Not a day goes by that she is not in our thoughts and in our hearts.

“If you remember noticing or seeing anything suspicious or unusual, no matter how small, please let police know.”

Killer may have ‘local connections’

Thirty years after Shona’s murder, police said they are “as determined as ever” to find the person responsible for her death and ensure they are brought to justice.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Gillies of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team added that the person responsible may have connections to the Irvine area, living nearby or friends or family in the area.

They urged anyone with suspicions about someone in their lives from then on to get in touch.

DI Gillies said: “A team of officers are committed to this investigation. They have regularly investigated the area to gather more information. They are supported by forensic scientists who ensure that all possible evidence is fully investigated in accordance with advances in science.

“We believe that the person responsible has local connections. They may have lived locally or had friends or relatives there. Maybe someone has suspicions about someone in his life at the time?

“We are urging anyone with any information, or anyone who was in or around the wooded area between 11am and 1.20pm on Thursday, November 10, 1994, to contact us.

“Even if you spoke to officers at the time or you believe you do not have any information relevant to Shona’s death, please come forward. You may hold the key to solving her murder.

Shona Stevens was found severely beaten just meters from her home in 1994. STV news

“We believe someone has the last piece of information that will solve Shona’s murder and ease her family’s suffering over the past 30 years. It’s crucial that we find answers for Shona’s mother, Mhairi, and her daughter, Candice, to give them some closure.

‘Please come forward. We urge anyone with information to break their silence and contact us if there are any small details they may have withheld at the time. No matter how insignificant you think it is, we urge you to contact us.”

£20,000 reward for information

On Friday, Crimestoppers said it is now offering £20,000 for information received leading to an arrest and conviction for Shona’s murder – double the amount offered in a previous appeal in 2021.

Crimestoppers’ Angela Parker added: “Although decades have passed, the lasting effects of Shona’s brutal murder on her family and friends remain. That’s why our charity – which is independent of the police – has offered this substantial reward to encourage anyone who knows the truth about what happened to finally come forward. You may also be eligible for a reward.

“While we pass vital information on to police, our role is to encourage people who might otherwise remain silent to come forward anonymously. Your information can make a crucial difference in the murder investigation. Maybe there was something strange in the park around that time and, for whatever reason, you didn’t talk about what you know.

“By speaking out and speaking out – either to the police or anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers – you will make a huge difference to Shona’s loved ones and to the wider community in Irvine. Unfortunately we can’t turn back the clock, but you could help end the lockdown after all these years.”

Key ring found

Three years ago, officers said a new key fob found at the scene “could be the key” to solving Ms Stevens’ murder.

Detectives said in 2021 that there was a chance the ‘unusual item’ was left behind by Shona’s killer.

Keychain found at the scene of Shona Steven's murder. — Keychain found at the scene of Shona Steven’s murder. Police Scotland

At the time, Detective Inspector Fraser Normansell, from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: “We know the item did not belong to Shona and while we cannot be certain of its origins, we believe it may be significant to this case. case.

“Although it was found almost 27 years ago, it is very distinctive and could be vital to our research. I urge anyone with information to come forward and help us get justice for Shona.”