Shona Stevens: £20k reward for info on Irvine murder

Shona Stevens was brutally attacked and killed in the Bourtreehill Park area of the town in November 1994.

The young mum, 31, was found with serious injuries on a footpath in a wooded area near to the rear of Alder Green and died in hospital three days later, on November 13, 1994.

Her killer has never been found.

Three decades on, independent charity Crimestoppers is now offering a substantial reward of up to £20k - double the amount from a previous appeal in 2021 - for info they receive which leads to an arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

At around 1pm on November 10, 1994, Shona was brutally attacked as she walked to the Co-op shop in Bourtreehill shopping centre. She was last seen walking alone around 1.10pm on Towerlands Road. Ten minutes later her body was found within a wooded area just 200 yards from her home.

Detective Inspector Stuart Gillies, from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: “Despite 30 years passing we are as determined as ever to track down the person responsible for Shona’s murder and ensure they face justice.

"A team of officers are dedicated to this investigation. They have been carrying out regular enquiries in the local area to gather any further information. They are supported by forensic scientists who ensure that all possible evidence is fully explored in line with any advances in science.

“We believe that the person responsible has local connections. They may have lived locally or had friends or family members there.

"Maybe someone has suspicions about someone in their life back then? We urge anyone with any information, or anyone who was in or around the wooded area between 11am and 1.20pm on Thursday, November 10, 1994, to contact us.

"Even if you spoke to officers at the time or you think you do not hold any information relevant to Shona’s death, please come forward. You may hold the key to solving her murder.”

Shona Stevens with her daughter Candice (Image: Police Scotland) Angela Parker, national manager for Scotland at Crimestoppers, 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.”

DI Gillies added: “We are convinced that someone holds the final piece of information that will solve Shona’s murder and ease the suffering of her family over the past three decades.

"It is crucial we find answers for Shona’s mum Mhairi and her daughter Candice, to bring them some closure.

“Please come forward. We call on anyone with information to break their silence and contact us with any small detail that they may have withheld at the time. No matter how insignificant you may think it is, we urge you to contact us.”

Shona’s mum, Mhairi Smith, aged 90, and Shona’s daughter, Candice Stevens, aged 37, said in a joint statement: “We still want justice for Shona and your help would be greatly appreciated.

"We know it has been 30 years since Shona was taken from us but to us it seems like only yesterday. There is not a day that goes by that she is not in our thoughts and in our hearts.

“If you remember noticing or seeing anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, no matter how small, please let the police know."

Anyone with any information can contact Police Scotland through 101. You can also submit information online here: mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT18Z46-PO2.