A 70 year old man was remanded in custody yesterday on a charge of murdering an Inverness woman in her home last week.
Michael Taylor, also from Inverness, appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court before Sheriff Margaret Neilson accused of killing 60 year old Liz Mackay or Muir in her house at 5 Kintail Court, Inverness.
During the brief court appearance, Taylor made no plea or declaration and will next appear again in private within the next seven days.
He was represented by Inverness lawyer John MacColl having been taken to Burnett Road Police Station in the Highland Capital for questioning by the Major Incident Team detectives on Tuesday afternoon.
Late on Wednesday afternoon, police confirmed that a man had been charged.
Taylor was driven from local police cells to Inverness Castle shortly after 9am by the G4S security company.
He told a security officer he was worried about tripping on the few steps down from the van and the officer kept a tight grip of the pensioner so he negotiated them safely.
He was then guided through the big red metal door to the Court cell block where he remained for several hours before being taken to court room one for the chambers hearing.
Afterwards, the Crown Office issued the following statement: “Michael Andrew Taylor, date of birth 26/6/45 from Inverness appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court on a charge of murder.
“He made no plea no declaration, was committed for further examination and remanded in custody. His next appearance is anticipated on 15 April.”
The parents of Liz Mackay also yesterday issued a photograph of their daughter, who kept little contact with them or the rest of her family, which includes a daughter and two sisters.
She has been described by friends and neighbours as “a very private woman, a bit of a loner” and someone “who wouldn’t hurt a fly by her family.
Her ex husband Terence Muir lives in Bournemouth and he said he was “devastated” by her death.
Although Taylor has been charged, the team of 25 detectives continue their enquiry and again appealed for anyone who may have seen Liz to contact police on 101 or Cimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Liz was found in the kitchen of the Hilton housing estate property which was also the scene of a brutal killing almost 10 years ago of 39 year old hairdresser Ilene O’Connor.
She was last seen alive on Tuesday afternoon and found by two friends at 4.45pm on Thursday afternoon. It is thought she may have lain undiscovered for up to two days.
The officer in charge of the investigation, Det Chief Inspector Keith Hardie, previously said a weapon had been used in the attack and ruled out any connection between the two murders.
