Shona Stevens: Irvine murder cold case 30 years on

The 31-year-old was bludgeoned to death on her way home from the shop in Bourtreehill on November 10, 1994. Her killer has never been identified.

Shona lived in Alder Green, Middleton Park, with her mum Mhairi Smith and seven-year-old daughter Candice Stevens.

She decided to pop to the shops, just an ordinary task on what seemed like another ordinary day.

How the Irvine Times reported the murder (Image: Newsquest) But Shona never made it home alive. As she walked along the path at the back of her home between 1pm and 1.30pm, she was pounced upon by her killer.

Forensic experts said she was subjected to a frenzied, eight-minute attack just yards from her back door.

She was left beaten, battered and unconscious.

Airlifted from the scene, medics were unable to save her. Shona died from her injuries three days later.

Five weeks later, her body was laid to rest in her mother’s hometown of Portree on Skye.

News of the attack left Irvine folk in fear. It was the third murder recorded in the town during 1994.

Shona's mum makes an appeal to find the killer (Image: Police Scotland) In 2005 - more than 10 years after the murder, Shona’s daughter Candice, then aged 18, spoke about the impact of her mother’s death.

She said: “It was like life threw a brick at my face, a 10-tonne brick. I’ve had 11 years of just going over the situation over and over again. I’ve had no peace whatsoever and am reminded constantly.

“Even if the person is caught it won’t change anything, it won’t bring her back, it won’t bring back the life that I crave so much. But at least it will give me some peace. At least the person who did this will be caught and justice will be done.”

But the cold case was never closed.

In 2021, a £10,000 reward was offered for information in the hunt for Shona’s killer on BBC’s Crimewatch Live.

Officers appealed for viewers’ help with an unusual object found at the crime scene which some believed could hold the key to finding Shona’s killer: a novelty keyring. Detectives believed there was is a chance it could’ve been left behind by the perpetrator.

Detective Inspector Fraser Normansell from Police Scotland said his team had painstakingly re-examined every piece of evidence and more than 2,000 witness statements to find new lines of investigation.

Shona with daughter Candice (Image: Police Scotland)

He said in the appeal film: “Something that seemed insignificant 27 years ago could be hugely significant now. These cases can flip on the smallest of details, and I’m determined to bring the offender to justice.”

Earlier this week, Crimestoppers announced that a reward of up to £20,000 was being offered for information which leads to an arrest or conviction.

READ MORE: 'Please come forward': £20k reward for information on Irvine murder in 1994

Angela Parker, national manager for Scotland at the charity, said: “Whilst decades have passed, the lasting consequences of Shona’s brutal killing for her family and friends remain.

"That’s why our charity – which is independent of the police – has offered this substantial reward to encourage anyone who knows the truth about what happened to finally speak up. You could also be eligible for a reward.

“Whilst we pass vital information to police, our role is to encourage people who might otherwise stay silent to step forward, anonymously.

"Your information could make a crucial difference to the murder investigation. Maybe there was something odd around that time in the park and you have, for whatever reasons, not spoken about what you know.

“By offloading and speaking up – either to police or anonymously to Crimestoppers – you’ll be making a huge difference to Shona’s loved ones and for the wider community in Irvine.

"Sadly, we can’t turn the clock back, but you could be helping to bring some closure after all these years.”