Renee MacRae: William MacDowell is guilty of murdering his lover, son, says Jury

An 80-year-old man brutally killed his lover Renee MacRae and a three-year-old son in 1976. The bodies of the mother and son were never retrieved. Along with the murderer, the jury found William MacDowell guilty of assisting in disposing of both the bodies. MacDowell was sentenced to at least 30 years in prison.

The Murder Mystery of the Highlands

Judge Lord Armstrong said that the murderers planned the execution in the most calculated way. The Judge further added that it was a very effective execution. He said how they murdered the victims and took numerous steps after disposing of their bodies to avoid getting caught.

Morag Govans shares her pain

Renee MacRae's sister Motah Govan's, letter, was read by the advocate deputy, Alex Prentice. The letter read how the pain of losing her sister Renee and nephew Andrew never eased, how not one day had passed when both of them were not in her memories.




She mentioned how cruel it was that Andrew's life was cut short at such an early age and that she couldn't help but wonder what Andrew would be doing now. Morag Govan wrote that they didn't get to grieve appropriately and the passage of time never healed the anguish.

Govan added that she never stopped seeking justice for her sister Renee MacRae and nephew, who deserved to rest in peace. She said that their deaths and the calculated planning still haunt her.

FAQs:

1. When did MacRae and her son die?
   Mrs. MacRae and her son Andrew disappeared on November 12, 1976. Later, her car was found on fire on the A9 at Dalmagarry.
2. How old was the son of MacRae?
   He was three years old.