Shona Stevens: Crimestoppers offer £20,000 reward for information 30 years on from mum's murder

The daughter of a woman who was murdered 30 years ago has said ‘not a day goes by that she is not in our hearts’, as a £20,000 reward has been offered for information that catches her killer.

Shona Stevens was found badly beaten just 200 yards from her home in the Bourtreehill Park area of Irvine on November 10, 1994.

The mum-of-one sustained serious head injuries and died in hospital days later.

She had attended the Co-op store within the Bourtreehill Shopping Centre around 1pm on the day of the attack before leaving on foot and was last seen alone around 1.10pm on Towerlands Road.

She was then discovered badly beaten yards from her home within a wooded area just ten minutes later.

Shona Stevens with daughter Candice STV News

Thirty years on from the brutal murder, police have issued a statement from Shona’s mother Mhairi Smith, aged 90 and her daughter Candice Stevens, who was seven when her mum was killed.

They said: “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.”

Killer may have ‘local connections’

Thirty years on from Shona’s murder, police said they are “as determined as ever” to track down the person responsible for her death and ensure they face justice.

Detective Inspector Stuart Gillies from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team added officers believe the person responsible may have connections to the Irvine area, either living nearby or with friends or family in the area.

They urged anyone with any suspicions of someone in their life from the time to get in touch.

DI Gillies said: “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 was found badly beaten just yards from her home in 1994. STV News

“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.”

£20,000 reward for information

On Friday, Crimestoppers said it is now offering £20,000 for information received which leads to an arrest and conviction for Shona’s murder – double the amount offered during a previous appeal in 2021.

Angela Parker from Crimestoppers added: “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 charity 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.”

Keyring find

Three years ago, officers said a novelty keyring found at the scene could “hold the key” to solving Ms Stevens’ murder.

Detectives said in 2021 that there is a chance the ‘unusual item’ could have been left behind by Shona’s killer.

Keyring found at scene of Shona Steven's murder. — Keyring found at scene of Shona Steven’s murder. Police Scotland

At the time, detective inspector Fraser Normansell, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: “We know the item didn’t belong to Shona and, while we can’t be sure of its origins, we believe it may hold significance to this case.

“Although it was found almost 27 years ago, it’s very distinctive and could prove vital to our enquiries. I’m urging anyone with information to come forward and help us get justice for Shona.”