How bizarre novelty key ring could help solve case of mum murdered in broad daylight after popping to shops
IT was a crisp autumn day and the sound of kids shrieking happily echoed across the park as Shona Stevens made her way to the local corner shop, just minutes from her home.
It was a typical weekday lunchtime, just before 1pm, in an area and route the mum-of-one was very familiar with – so she had no idea the tragedy that awaited her that fateful day.
For just 20 minutes later the 31-year-old would be found unconscious, badly beaten and bloodied in woodlands attached to the park following a “brutal and frenzied” assault just 200 yards from her home.
Tragically student Shona, who left behind a devastated daughter Candice, who was just seven at the time, never regained consciousness, and died three days later.
Police have never solved the case, despite numerous fresh appeals in the years since the attack.
However in recent years they did reveal they believe a bizarre novelty keyring found at the scene could be a “key” clue to solving the case…
A caring single mum
At the time of her death, Shona had been a single parent to daughter Candice, having divorced her husband when Candice was still a baby.
She’d been raised in South Africa from the age of two and lived there, before moving in with her mother in Irvine, North Ayrshire, in 1988.
Speaking on Crimewatch in 1995, Shona’s mother said: “Her marriage broke up at that time.
“Shona and Candice got on very well together. She cared a lot about Candice. Shona was a quiet, reserved girl, and private
“She was top of her class, always.”
A brutal and frenzied attack
On Thursday November 10, 1994, just before 1pm, Shona said goodbye to her mum and made her way through Bourtreehill Park, like she’d done hundreds of times before, to the Co-op.
She was described as a “creature of habit”, so the trip was a regular jaunt she would do at lunchtime.
After popping to the shops, she made her way home alone, passing back through the park at approximately 1.10pm – the last time she was seen alive and conscious.
She was then violently attacked and left for dead, before being found just 200 yards from her home within a wooded area, at around 1.20pm.
A passerby found Shona on his way back from the bookies gravely injured on a footpath located near the rear of Alder Green in the Bourtreehill Park area.
She’d been so severely beaten with serious head injuries and was airlifted to hospital.
She never regained consciousness and tragically died days later at Glasgow‘s Southern General Hospital, on Sunday November, 13, 1994.
A mystery man
A woman who worked at the local Co-op later came forward to say she saw Shona with a man in his late thirties in late October that year – a man who police later unsuccessfully appealed for help to trace.
She said: “I stepped out just to have a cigarette and I saw Shona walking past.
“She got to the steps and all of a sudden this chap was almost at her heels.
“He said a few words to her and then the next thing they said ‘see you’ and Shona carried on to the top of the steps.”
I spent a large part of my childhood years growing up without my mum, and I would ask anyone who knows anything about the incident to please come forward.
Candice Stevens
Shona’s mum said: “Shona had quite a small group of friends and she was never the type to stop and talk to just anyone on the street.”
Another witness reported seeing a man with his dog in the area around the time Shona was attacked, however he was never traced and police believed he could have been a potential witness.
Despite interviewing hundreds of people, no one was ever arrested in connection to the attack.
‘Growing up without my mum’
Over the years, Shona’s anguished family – including mum Mhairi Smith, now 90, and Shona’s daughter Candice Stevens, now 37 – have appealed for information.
Speaking in 2019 for the 25th anniversary, Candice made a heartfelt appeal for information, saying: “I was only seven at the time of my mum’s murder but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with.
“I spent a large part of my childhood years growing up without my mum, and I would ask anyone who knows anything about the incident to please come forward.”
Shona’s mum added: “I cannot emphasise how important even the smallest piece of information could be in being able to give me and my family some closure.”
A ‘key’ crucial clue
Two years later in 2021, Police Scotland freshly appealed for the public’s help as they revealed a novelty keyring found at the scene could be significant to the investigation.
The keyring was found at the scene during the initial forensic examination.
The bizarre toy is a model of an overweight man wearing a red waistcoat and blue tie, and no trousers.
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.
“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.
“I’m asking anyone who believes they recognise this item or who has any information, no matter how small, to please get in touch.
“We are committed to getting Shona’s devastated family the answers they deserve.”
A fresh appeal
Speaking last month to mark three decades since Shona’s murder, 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, 10 November, 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.”
‘Always in our hearts’
Last month marked 30 years since Shona’s tragic death – and sadly her family are still desperate for answers.
Speaking to Crimestoppers, who have offered a £20k reward, mum Mhairi and daughter Candice 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.”
Crimestoppers are offering up to £20,000 for information that leads to a conviction of anyone involved in Shona’s murder.
This can be reported via their website or by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 – for more information visit here. Alternatively, anyone with information can also contact Police Scotland on 101.