William MacDowell guilty of murdering lover and son
The jury in the Renee MacRae trial finds MacDowell guilty on all three counts
Last updated 29th Sep 2022
A man has been convicted of murdering his lover and their three-year-old son more than 45 years ago
William MacDowell, 80, was convicted by a jury at the High Court at Inverness of killing both Renee MacRae and their infant son Andrew in November 1976.
He was also found guilty of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of their bodies and personal effects.
The court had heard how Mrs MacRae, who was separated from her husband, had been having an affair with married MacDowell at the time she and Andrew disappeared.
The 80-years-old denied murdering Ms MacRae and their son at a layby south of Inverness on November 12, 1976 - in a trial that lasted nearly two weeks.
Passing sentence after MacDowell, of Penrith, Cumbria, was found guilty of murder at the High Court at Inverness, judge Lord Armstrong, told him: "These murders appear to have been premediated, planned and carried out in the most calculated way - not a spontaneous event or spur of the moment."
He added: "These appear, in effect, to have been executions.
"You murdered your victims and then disposed of their bodies and personal effects, including the boy's pushchair.
"You then took steps to conceal the crimes you had committed."
As well as being convicted of the murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae, MacDowell was also found guilty of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of their bodies and personal effects.
Mrs MacRae's sister, Morag Govans, said afterwards; "More than 45 years of the pain of losing Renee and Andrew doesn't ease.
"Not a day passes when both are not in our thoughts."
"They were so precious to us"
On behalf of the family, Morag Govans, Renee's sister and Andrew's aunt, said: “Almost 46 years on, the pain of losing Renee and Andrew in such a cruel and brutal fashion never fades.
“Today there is finally justice for them. It’s a day we feared would never come.
“They were both so precious to us and a day never passes without them both in our thoughts.
“Renee was a compassionate and caring mother. Both Andrew and his elder brother Gordon were her life. She adored them and was so proud of her boys.
“Andrew would be 48 today, he was never given the chance to build his own life.
“The passage of time has not eased the anguish we feel, we have never been able to lay Renee and Andrew to rest or properly mourn their loss.
“Not knowing where their remains lie only compounds the pain.
“Thinking of the terror they both must have felt before they died continues to haunt us.
“We will never comprehend why their lives had to be taken in such a calculated and callous manner by William MacDowell.
“If he has a shred of decency in his body, he will now reveal where they both lie.”
Detective Chief Inspector Brian Geddes said: “Renee and Andrew’s family, and friends, have waited decades for justice and I hope that the outcome in court today can provide some form of closure for them.
“They have carried themselves with absolute dignity throughout and they are very much in my thoughts today.
“The murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae have had a significant impact on people in Inverness, and beyond for decades.
“It is fitting to know that despite the passage of time, justice has finally been served.”
He added: “Although justice has now been done, Renee and Andrew’s bodies have not been found and I would urge anyone who may have information about where they are to come forward so they can be provided with the dignity they deserve.
“In particular I would appeal directly to William McDowell to speak to us and allow to bring closure to their family.”