Disclaimer: This text comprises mentions of homicide. Reader discretion is suggested.
Renee MacRae and her husband, Gordon MacRae, had separated earlier than she and her son Andrew disappeared in 1976. Reportedly, Renee, a 36-year-old mom of two, and her son went lacking from Inverness on November 12 of that yr. That very same night time, her BMW was found ablaze in a Dalmagarry lay-by. Authorities have looked for the mother-son duo for many years now however have failed to search out clues that would cause them to their stays.
From the beginning, detectives suspected Renee MacRae’s lover, William MacDowell, of murdering her and Andrew. Many years later, in 2022, a jury convicted MacDowell of murdering Renee and her three-year-old son. He obtained a life sentence in jail with a minimal of 30 years. Nevertheless, MacDowell died in jail months after his conviction.
BBC’s Homicide Trial: The Disappearance of Renee and Andrew MacRae revisited the mysterious disappearance. The documentary tried to search out new clues in Renee and Andrew MacRae’s case.
Renee MacRae’s husband: Who’s Gordon MacRae & was he concerned within the murders?
In line with BBC, Renee MacRae’s estranged husband, Gordon MacRae, claimed they’d break up up on amicable phrases. Gordon revealed that he first realized about Renee and Andrew MacRae’s disappearance on the morning of November 13, 1976. He later discovered that Renee had left her Inverness dwelling the day before today to fulfill along with her lover, William MacDowell. On the time, MacDowell was the corporate secretary in Gordon’s constructing agency, Hugh MacRae Builders Restricted.
For many years, William MacDowell had remained a suspect in Renee and Andrew MacRae’s disappearance. Detectives have by no means efficiently discovered the duo’s our bodies regardless of conducting an exhaustive search throughout a number of areas. Then, in September 2022, a jury discovered MacDowell, then 80, responsible of Renee and Andrew’s murders. The conviction got here greater than 4 many years after the 2 disappeared, following which he obtained life in jail with a minimal of 30 years.
Throughout William MacDowell’s trial for the murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae, the protection tried to deflect blame of the sufferer’s estranged husband. MacDowell’s protection accused Gordon MacRae of committing the crime with unidentified accomplices. Nevertheless, Gordon denied any involvement, claiming he and Renee had an amicable relationship. He additionally instructed the courtroom that he all the time knew Renee was having an affair.
Moreover, Renee MacRae’s then-estranged husband, Gordon, instructed the courtroom that he had requested William MacDowell to help the police. Gordon mentioned that within the days after the disappearance, he had instructed MacDowell, “In case you can assist the police in any manner, please do.” Gordon claimed, “He didn’t say a phrase the entire time.” After this, he fired MacDowell due to his relationship with Renee. Nevertheless, William MacDonald died in jail months after his conviction within the murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae, per BBC.
Homicide Trial: The Disappearance of Renee and Andrew MacRae particulars the investigation into MacDowell. The documentary collection comprises footage from the trial proceedings and includes interviews with the police and the victims’ shut ones.
