New description of suspect in Nairn banker shooting case revealed

Detectives investigating the shooting of Alistair Wilson believe the suspect may be younger than previously thought.

Officers say they remain committed to finding out who murdered 30-year-old Nairn banker on his doorstep on November 28th 2004.

Following a recent review of witness accounts, further analysis of timings from the night in question, and investigative developments, officers from Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team have now revised the description of the man they want to trace.

Previous appeals described the gunman as being aged between 30 and 40 years old, however, detectives now believe the man who shot Alistair may have been younger and could have been aged between 20 and 40 years old at the time.

This comes less than a week after it was revealed officers travelled to Canada to carry out witness interviews and continue to work with officers there.

Previous age range for suspect "too narrow"

Detective Superintendent Graeme Mackie, who is leading the investigation, said: "Over 17 years have passed since Alistair Wilson was murdered at his home in Nairn and the case continues to be reviewed and investigated by specialist officers locally, nationally and internationally.

"I am now able to issue a new appeal in relation to the description of the murderer based on reviews of witness accounts and further investigative work.

"In previous appeals, the murderer seen on the night in 2004 had been described as a man aged between 30 and 40 years of age.

"Having now carried out extensive inquires and reviewed previous descriptions and witnesses' evidence, I believe that this age range is too narrow and it is more accurate to describe the male who we believe killed Alistair was aged between 20 and 40 years old at the time.

"He was approximately 5ft 7in in height and was seen to be wearing a baseball cap and jacket.

"This would mean that Alistair's killer is now potentially aged in their mid to late 30s to almost 60 years old.

"We remain committed to ensuring the person responsible for Alistair's murder is brought to justice so that we can give his family the answers they deserve."

Canada update "wee bit mystifying" - former Nairn Provost

Sandy Park was the Nairn Provost at the time of Alistair's death and had met him three months before his murder.

He said: "They’ve maybe come onto something now, because there’s a few cold murder cases being resolved throughout Britain in the last six months.

"Surely the person who was involved then, would’ve been well and truly interviewed at the time?

"It’s just a wee bit mystifying to me.

"Whether it was somebody in this country who said ‘you better check up on such and such in Canada,’ it could be a wee lead they got to make them go all the way to Canada.

"About three or four years ago, I had two detectives in my house for two hours taking statements from me, I think it ended up being eight to ten pages long.

"Hopefully now, there’s going to be something to come out of this.

"It would be tremendous for the family to get closure."

"Somebody out there knows what happened to Alistair"

Mr Wilson was shot at about 7pm on Sunday, November 28 2004, after a man called at the family's home on Crescent Road, Nairn, spoke to his wife, Veronica, who had answered the door, and asked for her husband by name.

The 30-year-old father went downstairs to speak to the man and was handed a blue envelope with the word "Paul" on it.

He went inside briefly and then returned to the door for a second time where he was fatally shot.

Mr Wilson died later that evening in hospital.

The gun was recovered from a drain near his home 10 days after his murder.

Detective Superintendent Mackie added: "Someone out there knows what happened to Alistair and I hope this appeal today serves as a vital reminder that it is never too late to come forward with information.

"Do not assume that the police already know the information you possess."

Anyone who believes they can assist police is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 515 of March 4 2022 and Operation Sorn or email the dedicated inbox at SCDHOLMESAberdeen@scotland.pnn.police.uk

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