A pensioner will appear in court today charged with the murder of a woman found dead in her Inverness home.
The 70-year-old man was yesterday charged with killing Liz MacKay, whose body was discovered by two friends in her home in the Hilton area of the city on Thursday.
He is expected to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court today.
Detectives launched a murder hunt after the 60-year-old was found in the kitchen of her home in Kintail Court, when her friends made a “spur of the moment” visit last week.
They sealed off the property and erected a large tent in the front garden as forensic officers examined the scene and tried to piece together what had happened.
Officers also stepped up patrols in the area, and trawled through hours of CCTV footage.
Neighbours described the unemployed divorcee as a “quiet lady who kept herself very much to herself”, and as yet no photograph of the tragic mum has been released.
Police urged anyone with information about her – including any potential enemies she may have – to come forward, while revealing she was someone “who wouldn’t harm a fly”.
And last night, they renewed their appeal for information.
A spokesman said: “We can confirm that a 70-year-old man has been arrested and charged with the murder of Elizabeth MacKay, who was found at her home in the Hilton area of Inverness on March 31.
“The man is due to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court.
“Elizabeth’s family have been updated and are being supported by police family liaison officers.
“Officers have appealed to anyone with information that may assist the investigation to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Ms MacKay’s elderly mother and two sisters still live in Inverness. Her daughter is believed to have lived in Aberdeen until recently.
However, it is understood that she had been estranged from some of her relatives for more than 15 years.
Earlier this week, her ex-husband Terence Muir told reporters at his home in Bournemouth that he was “absolutely devastated” by the news of her death.
Ms MacKay was one of the first tenants to live in the council house – dubbed the “house of horrors” by neighbours – after Brian Grant, who murdered hairdresser Ilene O’Connor and then buried her in the garden a decade ago.
He was jailed for a minimum of 14 years and remains in jail.
Last weekend, a small posy of flowers was left on the fence outside the house with a card reading: “Goodnight, God bless, Liz. I’ll miss you, love Kerry.”
