A world-leading forensics expert previously involved in a search for Inverness mum Renee MacRae and her son Andrew last night welcomed the latest development in the mystery case.
There was a police presence at flooded Leanach quarry, near Culloden Battlefield, for a second day yesterday, but the operation was hidden from view by embankments, trees and bushes.
The shock development has sparked renewed hope the mystery disappearance of the 36-year-old mother and her son will finally be solved after 42 years.
Renowned forensic anthropologist Professor Sue Black, who has helped police in the case with a previous search of another Highland quarry, said: “I think there is huge reassurance to be had from the maintenance and refreshment of cold cases by Police Scotland.
Police revisit Highland quarry after shock development in the infamous Renee Macrae murder case
“I think the Leanach quarry site activity is simply a clear indication that these important cases remain open until solved and that this represents parts of ongoing enquiries.”
Dame Sue – who led the search in 2004 of Dalmagarry Quarry, near to where Renee’s burnt-out car was found, for evidence during a cold case review – added: “My general interest in the case extends from being a teenager in Inverness and then later our excavation of Dalmagarry quarry.
“I remain in contact with Police Scotland on the matter but have no active involvement at this time in relation to activities at Leanach.”
The MacRae mystery is a case that shocked the country 42 years ago and remains the UK’s longest-running missing persons inquiry.
Mrs MacRae left her home in the Cradlehall area of Inverness with both her sons on Friday, November 12, 1976, before dropping her elder son Gordon with her estranged husband Gordon MacRae.
She turned south on to the A9, reportedly on her way to meet her lover, Bill MacDowell, an accountant in her husband’s building company, with the couple said to be planning to start a new life on Shetland.
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Her burned-out BMW car was found with a bloodstain in the boot in a layby off the A9, a mile south of Tomatin.
A murder inquiry was launched, but the bodies of the mother and her three-year-old son have never been found and no one has ever been convicted of their killing.
Police Scotland yesterday confirmed they were again at the quarry but would not divulge how long they would remain.
A police diving unit from Aberdeen travelled to Inverness equipped with a remotely-operated underwater vehicle able to scour the depths of the quarry, believed to be around 100ft.
Mr McDowell, whose name has long been associated with the MacRae case, told the Press and Journal he was “not aware” of the latest search, but did not wish to comment.
