Reward of £20,000 Offered in 1994 Ayrshire Cold Case Murder

The daughter of a woman murdered in Ayrshire three decades ago has issued a renewed plea for assistance in identifying her killer, coinciding with the announcement of a £20,000 reward for relevant information. Shona Stevens, aged 31, was assaulted near her residence in Irvine in November 1994 while returning from a local shop. She sustained severe head injuries and passed away three days later. Her daughter, Candice, now 37, stated that the family “still want justice.” Police Scotland affirmed its resolve to resolve the case by utilizing investigative avenues not available at the time. Candice made her appeal for information alongside her 90-year-old grandmother, Mhairi Smith. In a joint statement, they expressed: “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.” Shona had been a student, pursuing studies in Paisley. She was characterized as a “creature of habit,” regularly walking to the shop through the park at lunchtime, a routine she followed on the day of the murder. Shona was attacked on November 10, 1994, after she left the Co-op store in Bourtreehill Shopping Centre. Approximately 10 minutes later, she was discovered in a wooded area close to her home. Detective Inspector Stuart Gillies from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation team indicated his belief that the individual responsible for the murder might have local connections. He stated: “They may have lived locally or had friends or family members there. Maybe someone has suspicions about someone in their life back then. I think that the public have within them the ability to step forward and provide the missing piece of the jigsaw. I am confident that we can continue to develop this investigation and hopefully provide an outcome for Shona and her family.” An online portal has been established by police to facilitate direct submission of information by the public to the major incident team investigating Ms. Stevens’ murder, which is codenamed Operation Short. The independent charity Crimestoppers is offering a £20,000 reward for details that result in the arrest and conviction of the individual accountable for the murder. Angela Parker, the National Manager for Scotland at Crimestoppers, commented: “Whilst decades have passed, the lasting consequences of Shona’s brutal killing for her family and friends remain. 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.”