One of Scotland’s longest unsolved cases has reached a bittersweet conclusion as the convicted murderer, William MacDowell, passed away without revealing the location of the bodies of Renee MacRae and her three-year-old son Andrew. The mother and son disappeared near Inverness in November 1976, and last year MacDowell was found guilty of their murders. Despite the closure and justice for Renee’s family, DCI Brian Geddes, who led the re-investigation into their disappearance, expressed his disappointment that MacDowell died before divulging the whereabouts of the remains. However, there is still hope that the bodies will eventually be found.
DCI Geddes shared his sorrow and frustration about his inability to bring closure to the loved ones of the victims. He mentioned a conversation he had with Renee’s sister Morag, who expressed that she would always choose the recovery of the bodies over a conviction. DCI Geddes admitted that he knew MacDowell would not cooperate, but he still hoped that over time, he might change his mind. Regrettably, those hopes were dashed with MacDowell’s death.
Despite this setback, DCI Geddes remains resolved in his mission. He explained that the investigation team had already searched Leanach Quarry near MacDowell’s former home but found no evidence. However, they are open to exploring new leads and receiving fresh information. The team is also consulting with contractors carrying out road works on the A9, an area that has always been a focus. Additionally, ongoing re-interviews are being conducted with individuals who may have relevant information. DCI Geddes firmly believes that only MacDowell knew the location of the bodies, but the lack of his cooperation will not deter their efforts.
The tragic events occurred on November 12, 1976, when MacDowell, then 35 years old, lured Renee and her three-year-old son Andrew to a lay-by on the A9 south of Inverness under the pretense of a weekend getaway. After bringing them to the location, MacDowell murdered them before setting their car on fire and disposing of their bodies, along with Andrew’s pushchair. On that fateful night, a farmer’s wife reported hearing a chilling scream, which turned out to be Renee’s last cry.
MacDowell, a married father of two who worked as a company secretary for Renee’s estranged husband, feared that his extramarital affair would be exposed, jeopardizing both his marriage and career. Andrew was revealed to be MacDowell’s biological son. Due to the absence of remains, it took nearly half a century to secure a conviction. Although MacDowell was sentenced to 30 years in prison, he died in February 2023 at the age of 81.
The upcoming two-part documentary, Murder Trial: The Disappearance of Renee and Andrew MacRae, focuses on MacDowell’s 2022 trial and includes interviews with Renee’s sister Morag Govans. Morag speaks candidly about the void left in her life by the loss of her sister and nephew. She reflects on the pain she feels due to not knowing where their remains lie and emphasizes that Andrew, who was just three years old at the time of his murder, deserves more recognition.
DCI Geddes, who grew up near Inverness and is the same age as Andrew would have been if he had survived, admits that this case is one of the most emotional he has ever been involved in. He finds it particularly difficult to understand why a three-year-old boy had to die. Despite the trial’s conclusion, the ongoing agony experienced by the victims’ families and the unfulfilled desire to find their remains remain constant reminders of the tragedy that unfolded on that ill-fated night.
Murder Trial: The Disappearance of Renee and Andrew MacRae will air on BBC Scotland on August 22, followed by a second episode on August 28. The documentary offers deep insight into the case and vividly portrays the enduring pain felt by Renee’s family in their quest for justice and resolution.
The search for Renee and Andrew MacRae’s bodies continues, fueled by the determination of DCI Geddes and his team to bring closure to the family and honor the memory of the victims. Although the road to discovering the truth remains challenging, there is still hope that one day the remains will be found and the long-standing mystery will finally be laid to rest.
