Justice Served: William MacDowell Held Accountable for Decades-old Murders
In a long-awaited resolution, William MacDowell faced the consequences of his actions, having been found guilty of the 1976 murders of his secret lover, Renee MacRae, and their young son, Andrew. The verdict was reached on September 29, 2022.
Who was William MacDowell?
William MacDowell, also known as Bill, held the position of company secretary at Hugh Macrae & Co., a company belonging to Renee MacCrae’s husband. Recognized in the Inverness region, he was notorious for his short temper and aversion to “losing face.”
A clandestine affair blossomed between MacDowell and Renee MacRae, commencing around 1973. This relationship led to the birth of their son, Andrew, in the subsequent year. Despite this, Renee maintained the secrecy of her lover’s identity, even after she left her shared home with husband Gordon.
The sole confidante of this secret was Val Stevenson, Renee’s closest friend. Stevenson revealed that MacDowell held a significant place in Renee’s heart and envisioned a life with him on the distant Shetland Island, along with their three-year-old child.
The Tragic Fate of Renee and Andrew MacRae
The disappearance of Renee MacRae, also known as Christina Catherine MacRae, and her young son, Andrew, remained a perplexing and unsolved mystery for over forty years. This mystery was finally solved in September 2022, as justice caught up with William MacDowell, who was revealed as the perpetrator of their tragic murders.
The motive behind this heinous crime, according to authorities, was MacDowell’s fear of exposure and the potential upheaval of his comfortable life due to the affair. Following the murders, MacDowell disposed of their bodies and Andrew’s pushchair by setting Renee’s BMW on fire. The discovery of the burnt-out car prompted suspicions, ultimately leading to MacDowell’s identification as the prime suspect.
After three distinct investigations spanning several decades, the culprit, now 80 years old, finally faced the consequences of his actions. In court, Judge Lord Armstrong characterized the murders as calculated and premeditated acts, rather than impulsive decisions. The tragic fate of the 36-year-old mother and her three-year-old son had finally received some semblance of closure.
William MacDowell’s Whereabouts and End
Upon being found guilty of the murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae, William MacDowell received a life sentence, serving his time at Glenochil Prison. However, the chapter closed sooner than expected as MacDowell passed away on February 15, 2023, just a year into his sentence. At the time of his demise, he was 81 years old.
The journey to justice, spanning decades, has finally ended, providing a sense of closure to the tragedy that gripped Scotland for so long.