Menu
07/05/2004
Scottish police forces to investigate series of linked murders
Scottish police have confirmed that three forces will team up to investigate the murders of seven young women.
Detectives believe that the series of murders, which took place over a four-year period from 1977 to 1980, are related.
Police said that the integrated inquiry is a result of a "significant scientific breakthrough" in DNA techniques and confirmed the new information had produced "a positive line of inquiry".
The investigation will be led by Deputy Chief Constable Tom Wood of Lothian and Borders Police and will involve officers from Lothian and Borders, Strathclyde and Tayside forces who work together on the cases.
DCC Wood said: "The advances in DNA have given us information we could never have imagined in the past. Whereas we had suspicions that these cases might be connected, we could not be certain. Now we believe that they may be and that gives us a clear route to follow with the strong hope that we will track down the killer(s) of these women, even though almost 30 years have passed."
The renewed inquiry will look at the murders of the seven young women: Anna Kenny in August 1977; Hilda McAuley in October 1977; Helen Scott and Christine Eadie in October 1977; Agnes Cooney in December 1977; Carol Lannan in March 1979; and Elizabeth McCabe in March 1980.
Teams of officers from each force have begun a major analysis of all the information gathered in connection with the seven murder cases.
However, police said it is expected to be some time before the "painstaking process" is completed.
(SP)
Detectives believe that the series of murders, which took place over a four-year period from 1977 to 1980, are related.
Police said that the integrated inquiry is a result of a "significant scientific breakthrough" in DNA techniques and confirmed the new information had produced "a positive line of inquiry".
The investigation will be led by Deputy Chief Constable Tom Wood of Lothian and Borders Police and will involve officers from Lothian and Borders, Strathclyde and Tayside forces who work together on the cases.
DCC Wood said: "The advances in DNA have given us information we could never have imagined in the past. Whereas we had suspicions that these cases might be connected, we could not be certain. Now we believe that they may be and that gives us a clear route to follow with the strong hope that we will track down the killer(s) of these women, even though almost 30 years have passed."
The renewed inquiry will look at the murders of the seven young women: Anna Kenny in August 1977; Hilda McAuley in October 1977; Helen Scott and Christine Eadie in October 1977; Agnes Cooney in December 1977; Carol Lannan in March 1979; and Elizabeth McCabe in March 1980.
Teams of officers from each force have begun a major analysis of all the information gathered in connection with the seven murder cases.
However, police said it is expected to be some time before the "painstaking process" is completed.
(SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 March 2015
Police Appeal For New Information On 1975 Murders
Police have issued a new appeal for information on the murders of of two women in 1975. In 2004, police found DNA evidence that linked two separate murders in that year: Eve Stratford (22) was found with found murdered in her home in Leyton, east London, in March 1975.
Police Appeal For New Information On 1975 Murders
Police have issued a new appeal for information on the murders of of two women in 1975. In 2004, police found DNA evidence that linked two separate murders in that year: Eve Stratford (22) was found with found murdered in her home in Leyton, east London, in March 1975.
27 April 2010
Unsolved Scottish Murders Mount-Up
Police in Scotland have a total of 77 unsolved murders on their files, it was reported today. BBC Scotland said all eight Scottish forces were asked to supply the number of unsolved murders on their files. Most only dated back to 1975 when the current force structure was established.
Unsolved Scottish Murders Mount-Up
Police in Scotland have a total of 77 unsolved murders on their files, it was reported today. BBC Scotland said all eight Scottish forces were asked to supply the number of unsolved murders on their files. Most only dated back to 1975 when the current force structure was established.
17 May 2010
Police Federation Warns On Civilianisation
Police forces may soon employ more civilians than officers, new research from the Police Federation of England and Wales reveals The data, found that numbers of police staff have virtually doubled in just under a decade and the growth in their numbers has outstripped that of police officers despite assurances.
Police Federation Warns On Civilianisation
Police forces may soon employ more civilians than officers, new research from the Police Federation of England and Wales reveals The data, found that numbers of police staff have virtually doubled in just under a decade and the growth in their numbers has outstripped that of police officers despite assurances.
12 November 2014
Release Of Police Killer Described As 'Sickening'
The release of a man convicted of killing three unarmed police officers in 1966 has been described as "sickening". Harry Roberts, now aged 78, has been released from prison after serving 48 years for 1966 murders of three unarmed police officers in Shepherd's Bush in west London.
Release Of Police Killer Described As 'Sickening'
The release of a man convicted of killing three unarmed police officers in 1966 has been described as "sickening". Harry Roberts, now aged 78, has been released from prison after serving 48 years for 1966 murders of three unarmed police officers in Shepherd's Bush in west London.
29 August 2014
Major Police Hunt Launched After Boy Taken From Hospital
A major police hunt has begun after a five-year-old boy with a brain tumour, was taken by his family without consent from Southampton General Hospital. Police said that Ashya King was taken from the hospital by Brett King, 51, and Naghemeh King, 45, on Thursday. It is thought he may have been taken to France.
Major Police Hunt Launched After Boy Taken From Hospital
A major police hunt has begun after a five-year-old boy with a brain tumour, was taken by his family without consent from Southampton General Hospital. Police said that Ashya King was taken from the hospital by Brett King, 51, and Naghemeh King, 45, on Thursday. It is thought he may have been taken to France.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
