The sister of a murdered housewife has denounced prosecutors and police for failing to bring to justice the killer of her sibling and nephew 40 years ago.
Morag Govans hit out as the anniversary approaches of the high-profile disappearance of millionaire’s wife Renee MacRae and her three-year-old son Andrew on November 12, 1976.
The pair were due to meet Mrs MacRae’s secret lover – her husband’s company accountant Bill MacDowell – to spend a weekend away.
But when the 36-year-old’s blue BMW was found ablaze in a lay-by at Dalmagarry, 11 miles south of Inverness, it was the start of a mystery which remains unsolved to this day.
No trace of either Renee or Andrew has ever been found.
But now, Mrs Govans, 76, has urged the Crown Office to bring the killer to justice.
She said: “I still find it incredible that no one has ever been taken to court.
“There have been files [which have] gone to the Crown Office which contain a lot of evidence – not that the police have kept me informed over the years.
“I don’t think they have anything to lose by taking someone to court now. I am disappointed they haven’t.
“I know there is someone out there who could give us the information we need to find Renee and Andrew.
“I don’t understand how anyone could shield a monster like that.”
Renee separated from her husband, Inverness businessman Gordon MacRae, in the year of her disappearance and lived with her sons Gordon and Andrew.
Andrew was, in fact, Mr MacDowell’s son – a fact he only confirmed a few days after a major investigation was launched by Northern Constabulary.
Mr MacDowell has always maintained he did not see the pair all day and both he and Mr MacRae were able to provide police with firm alibis for their whereabouts that evening four decades ago.
In 2004, Northern Constabulary launched a cold case inquiry and extensive excavations were carried out at Dalmagarry quarry, but these proved to no avail.
Former chief constable Ian Latimer authorised the excavation and Mrs Govans insisted that was the only time she was kept updated on the investigation.
Leanach quarry in Culloden Moor has also featured heavily in police investigations.
But so far, every lead, every line of inquiry has drawn a blank.