Police have issued a fresh appeal for information following the murder of a Highlands woman.
Elizabeth MacKay, also known as Muir, was found dead in her home at about 4.45pm on Thursday.
Officers initially treated the 60-year-old’s death as “unexplained”, but confirmed a murder investigation had been launched yesterday.She lived alone in the single-storey, semi-detached council house where Ilene O’Connor was murdered by Brian Grant in 2006 and then buried in the garden.
Police have since carried out door to door inquiries and reviewing CCTV in the local area.
DCI Keith Hardie of the Major Investigation Team said: “As we continue to investigate the circumstances leading to Elizabeth’s death, we are keen to trace anyone who knows Elizabeth and who may have seen her in the days running up to last Thursday. We have established that Elizabeth was last seen near her home last Tuesday (29th March) so it is crucial to piece together her movements after this time.
“We understand Elizabeth was a very private individual, who kept herself to herself most of the time. She has been described by family and friends as a gentle person who wouldn’t hurt a fly, making this horrible crime even harder to comprehend.
“Neighbours and the wider community of Hilton will be understandably shaken and upset by this tragic event and officers will continue to carry out patrols of the local area.
“Local communities are best placed to pick up on things that are out of place or events out of the ordinary so we would appeal to anyone who heard or saw anything unusual or suspicious, even if it appears insignificant, to come forward and report it to the police as a matter of urgency.”
Anyone with any information should contact police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.