Shona Stevens: 25th anniversary of 'brutal and frenzied' murder of Ayrshire mum

Police have launched a fresh appeal for information

Published 10th Nov 2019
Last updated 10th Nov 2019

Police have launched a fresh appeal 25 years on from the murder of Shona Stevens from Alder Green, Irvine.

31.year-old Shona was found dead on one of the footpaths near to the rear of Alder Green in the Bourtreehill Park area on Thursday 10 November 1994.

Investigating officers believe that the answer to Shona’s murder lies within the local community and hope that this appeal will help lead them to those responsible.

Around 1.05pm on the day of Shona’s murder, she attended the local Co-operative store within Bourtreehill Shopping Centre before leaving on foot.

She was last seen alone, adjacent to the Shopping Centre on Towerlands Road, Irvine around 1.10pm, which is a route that she would regularly take back to her home.

Shona was then found approximately 200 yards from her home, within an area of trees and bushes not far from the footpath, around 1.20pm.

She had been subject to a brutal and frenzied attack and had suffered serious head injuries that ultimately resulted in her death.

Shona, who lived with her mother Mhairi Smith, 60, and seven-year-old daughter, Candice, was known in the local community as a quiet woman.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Paul Livingstone of Homicide Governance and Review said: “This murder still remains unsolved and with the 25th anniversary of Shona’s death approaching, we are appealing for any information that will help us trace those involved with her murder.

“Shona was a young mother who was subject to an unprovoked attack that has left her family devastated and we want to trace those responsible.

“The footpath that Shona was murdered on was used on a regular basis by members of the public to access Bourtreehill Shopping Centre and we believe that someone may have vital information that will help bring this investigation to a close.

“I would urge anyone that may be able to provide any information in regards to this case to please get in contact with police.

“Police Scotland are committed to bringing those responsible to justice and giving Shona’s family closure on what is such a horrific incident in which they have suffered for too long.”

Mhairi Smith, 85, said:

“It has been 25 years since Shona was taken from us and we are still as hopeful as ever that those responsible for her murder can be brought to justice.

“I cannot emphasise enough how important even the smallest piece of information could be in being able to give me and my family closure.

“I want to know who was responsible for this attack and why they did it.

“If you have any information about Shona and her murder, please contact the police.”

Candice Stevens, 32, said:

“I was only seven at the time of my mum’s murder but that does not make it any easier to deal with.

“I spent a large part my childhood years growing up without my mum and I would please ask anyone who knows anything about the incident to please come forward.”

Anyone with any information can contact the dedicated number on 01236 818326 or alternatively 101. CRIMESTOPPERS can also be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

You can also submit information via this link: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT19S02-PO2

Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.