Murder She Spoke

Episode 67: Jess McPherson. This week Emma takes us back to 1860's Glasgow for the case of Jess McPherson, whose case is one of four notorious murders which took place in an infamous area of Glasgow known as the Square Mile of Murder. Emma describes the historic significance of this case as the police used early versions of forensic photography in the investigation, which was a first in Scotland....

Episode 66: Lynda Hunter. This week Joannagh brings us the story of Lynda Hunter, a 30-year-old woman from Carnoustie, who went missing in August 1987. Joannagh tells us how Lynda was known to be around 6 weeks pregnant when she went missing and was also with her 14-year-old dog Shep, adding further concern to the already troubling disappearance We hear how reports of a troubled marriage raised su...

Episode 65: Sandy Drummond. This week Emma tells us of the mysterious death of Sandy Drummond, a 33-year-old former soldier, found murdered in Boarhills, Fife, on the 24th of June 1991. Emma describes how Police failings in the immediate aftermath of Sandy's body being discovered meant that potentially key forensic data could not be gathered from the crime scene. We hear about unusual behaviour di...

Episode 64: Gordon Johnston. This week Joannagh brings us the story of Gordon Johnston. Gordon was a 53-year-old man who, in May 1989, was attacked and killed during a violent robbery of the gun and fishing equipment shop where he had worked for 37 years. Joannagh describes how this vicious robbery was part of a wider series of crimes planned by Gordon's killers which would have included kidnappin...

Episode 63: Sheila Anderson. This week Emma brings us the story of Sheila Anderson, a 27-year-old sex worker from Edinburgh who died from injuries sustained in a brutal vehicular attack in April 1983. We hear how a distrust of Police by the city's sex workers made it difficult to gather evidence, and would eventually lead to the Police making significant changes to their treatment and Policing of...

Episode 62: Emma Faulds. This week Joannagh brings us the story of Emma Faulds, a 39-year-old woman from Kilmarnock, whose sudden disappearance in April 2019 sparked panic amongst her family. Joannagh details the immediate concern that was expressed at the time for the wellbeing of Emma, given how out of character the disappearance was, and the fears of the police that she may have come to some ha...

Episode 61: Rory Blackhall. This week Emma brings us the story of Rory Blackhall, an 11-year-old boy from Livingston who went missing after being dropped off at his primary school on 18th August 2005. We hear how recent upheaval in Rory's home life led some to believe he may have run away, or that he may have been vulnerable and open to manipulation. Emma also tells us how the assistance of the pu...

Episode 60: Elaine Doyle. This week Joannagh brings us the story of Elaine Doyle, a 16-year-old girl from Greenock who was attacked and killed on her way home from a night out in June of 1986. We hear how the appeals by the Police and the Media for witnesses to come forward yielded little of use to the investigation. Joannagh also tells us how unusually careful collection and storage of DNA eviden...

Episode 59: Colin Marr. This week Emma brings us the story of Colin Marr, a 23-year-old man who, after an argument in his home in 2007, was killed by a single stab wound to the chest. Whilst Colin's death was ruled a suicide, the strange circumstances surrounding the incident led his family to pursue the case further. Emma tells us how the family enlisted the help of respected pathologists and for...

Episode 58: Maggie Dickson. This week Joannagh delves into the history books to bring us the bizarre story of Maggie Dickson. Convicted of killing her newborn baby in 1724, Maggie was jailed and sentenced to be hanged. Joannagh describes some of the now outdated aspects of life in Edinburgh in the 1700's, particularly the obsolete medical techniques used to convict Maggie. We also hear how a less...

Episode 57: Mary McLaughlin. This week Emma brings us the story of Mary McLaughlin, a great-grandmother from Glasgow whose murder remained unsolved for 36 years. We hear details of the intricate forensic work carried out that allowed a DNA profile to be obtained and a conviction to be secured, despite the time that had passed since the crime was committed. Emma also discusses the issue of crimes b...

Episode 56: Robyn Fryar. This week Joannagh brings us the story of Robyn Fryar, a 15-year-old girl from Paisley, whose life was tragically cut short in a hit and run accident due to the reckless actions of a young driver. We hear how two major issues with young male drivers may have contributed to the accident - namely drink driving and boy racing. Joannagh also describes the attempts taken to inc...

Episode 55: Betty Hadden. This week Emma takes us back to 1945 to tell us of the mysterious death of Betty Hadden in Aberdeen. After being seen out and about in Aberdeen, there was no trace of Betty until a grizzly discovery made early in the morning two days later. Emma tells us about the - for the time - surprisingly progressive attitude taken by the police in their attempts to solve the crime a...

Episode 54: Mark Scott. This week Joannagh brings us the story of Mark Scott, a 16-year-old boy who was brutally slain in an unprovoked sectarian attack in Glasgow in 1995. Joannagh provides some historical context to the issue of sectarianism in the West of Scotland and the social, economic and political factors that drove its rise. We hear how the fierce rivalry between Glasgow football clubs Ce...

Episode 53: Robert Higgins. This week Emma tells us the story of Robert Higgins of Dalmeny, who disappeared and was killed in 1995. Emma discusses the findings of DNA from the body and how further crucial DNA evidence may have been lost due to the actions of a passerby. We also hear about the questionable methods used to profile the supposed killers as well as details of the single suspect brought...

Episode 52: Corrie McKeague. This week Joannagh tells us about the strange case of Corrie McKeague, a young RAF Serviceman who vanished - seemingly without a trace - following a night out in Bury St Edmunds. Joannagh describes the events leading up to Corrie's disappearance including the apparent confusion displayed by the young Serviceman on the last CCTV images available. We also hear how record...

Episode 51: Mhari O'Neill. This week Emma brings us the story of Mhari O'Neill, a 15-year-old schoolgirl who died in 2018 after meeting up with Ewan Fulton, then aged 18. Emma discusses how the case is very current, having been concluded in the last week She also talks about the risks faced by young people in our society in trying to safely navigate encounters via social media, as well as the dang...

Episode 50: Eugene Chantrelle. For our 50th episode anniversary Joannagh takes us back to 19th century Edinburgh for the case of Eugene Chantrelle, a medic turned languages teacher originally from France. Joannagh discusses how Chantrelle's reputation for predatory behaviour with his students, abusive tendencies as a husband and many expensive vices foreshadowed the evil scheme that would eventual...

Episode 49: Jane Longhurst. This week Emma tells us the story of Jane Longhurst a classical musician and teacher who, in March 2003, went missing and was later found dead. Emma discusses the methods used by the police to locate Jane and later to identify suspects when the investigation was upgraded to a potential homicide. We also hear details of the depraved actions of the main suspect in the tim...

Episode 48: Laura Donnelly. This week Joannagh tells us of Laura Donnelly, a young woman from Paisley who was brutally attacked and killed on her way home from a night out. We hear about steps taken in the wider investigation including a feature on Crimewatch and mass DNA testing. Our hosts also discuss some gadgets, apps and tips that may help to protect lone women from these situations. Case res...

Episode 47: Moira Jones. This week Emma tells us the story of Moira Jones, a Glasgow resident who in 2008 was murdered in a park close to her home. We hear how the investigation became international, with assistance being provided by the Slovakian authorities. Emma and Joannagh also discuss the parallels with the recent case of Sarah Everard and the ongoing issues of women's safety in society. Cas...

Episode 46: Jessie King. This week Joannagh brings us the historic case of Jessie King, an Edinburgh woman hanged in 1889 for the murder of two children in a horrific 'baby farming' scheme. We hear questions about how guilty Jessie ultimately was and if more scrutiny should have been placed on her partner Thomas Pearson. Joannagh also gives some insight into life inside Calton Jail where King was...

Episode 45: Theresa Riggi. This week Emma tells us the story of Theresa Riggi, a mother of three who, in the grip of a mental health crisis, took unthinkable action when she feared her children would be taken from her. Case research by Emma Taylor Produced by Emma Taylor & Joannagh Shanks Editing by Shaun O'Neill Music by Tribe of Noise Episode Promo by A Little Bit Grim - @ALittleBitGrim2 on Twit...

Episode 44: Deacon Brodie. This week Emma takes us back to 18th Century Edinburgh for the story of Deacon William Brodie, thought to be the inspiration behind the Robert Louis Stevenson characters Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Whilst maintaining an image of a high society gentleman, Brodie's arrogance and penchant for the finer things in life led him to utilise his skills and position amongst the elites...

Episode 43: Arlene Fraser. This week Joannagh tells us about the case of Arlene Fraser, a mother of two who, in 1998, vanished without a trace. Joannagh tells us of the abusive relationship Arlene had with her husband Nat Fraser which made him a person of interest and goes on to detail the drawn out legal proceedings that would occur before a solid conviction was secured. Case research by Joannagh...