Killer In The Family

Episode 75 - Renee and Andrew MacRae Part One

Killer In The Family

Show Notes

On 12 November 1976, 36-year-old Renee MacRae and her 3-year-old son Andrew vanished near Inverness. That night, her BMW was found burning in a layby on the A9. Blood in the car pointed to murder — but no bodies were ever found.

For over 40 years, it was one of the UK’s most haunting cold cases. Then, in 2019, police arrested William MacDowell — Renee’s secret lover and Andrew’s biological father. In 2022, he was found guilty of murdering them both. He died five months into his sentence, taking the truth of what he did and where Renee and Andrew were - with him.

This is part one of the story of Renee and Andrew MacRae.

Information and support · Samaritans UK Contact Us | Samaritans · Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) Home - AAFDA · Women’s Aid Home - Women's Aid · National Domestic Abuse Helpline UK 0808 2000 247 · Mental health support USA Mental Health America | Homepage | Mental Health America · Domestic abuse helpline USA 1.800.799.SAFE Domestic Violence Support | National Domestic Violence Hotline

References www.wizardradio.com

Murder Trial - A Dangerous Affair: Part 1 - BBC iPlayer

Inside Murder Trial - A Deadly Affair - Introducing... Inside Murder Trial - BBC Sounds

Renee MacRae: Man found guilty of killing lover and son in 1976 - BBC News

The 46-year-old murder mystery that haunted the Highlands - BBC News

Murder of Renee and Andrew MacRae - Wikipedia

Renee and Andrew MacRae: Police searching for bodies of mother and son murdered in 1976 examining item found in area linked to case | UK News | Sky News

Renee MacRae and Andrew potential new evidence found by A9 south of Inverness still being assessed by Police Scotland

Renee MacRae murder: Son of missing Inverness woman begs cops to find mum after 43 years of torture | The Scottish Sun

Credits Hosted and created by Clare Laxton @ladylaxton Produced by Clare Laxton Part of W!ZARD Studios @wizradio Music from Pixabay See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

More from Killer In The Family

Oct 16, 2026

In September 2021 in Derbyshire, 35 year old Terri Harris was killed by her partner Damien Bendall – she was pregnant at the time. He also killed her two children – 13 year old John Paul and 11 year old Lacey and Lacey’s friend Connie Gent. He also raped Lacey.

Oct 2, 2026

In 1805 in Lincolnshire a heavily pregnant Mary Kirkham was found dead – she had been killed.

Sep 29, 2026

To unlock this full bonus episode and get ad-free, early access episodes join the Killer in the family Vault today: https://www.patreon.com/cw/KillerInTheFamily/membership See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 25, 2026

In December 1975, 28 year old Becky Harrington and her two children – 9 year old Pamela and 4 year old Cassandra were shot and killed by Detroit police officer and husband and father, Paul Harrington. This was just one week after the couple had separated.

Sep 18, 2026

In July 2003, 39 year old Joanie Harper, her mother 70 year old Earnestine Harper and her three children 4 year old Marques, 2 year old Lyndsey and 6 week old Marshall were brutally killed by husband, son in law and father Vincent Brothers.

See all episodes →