Renee MacRae and Andrew murder detectives confirm A9 evidence find was a child’s potty – and is still under Police Scotland forensic investigation
Murder detectives searching for Renee and Andrew MacRae’s bodies have confirmed for the first time that a child’s potty was the recent item of potential evidence removed from beside the A9.
Officers, working with forensic specialists, are still examining the potty and have not ruled it out of ongoing inquiries into the 1976 double killing.
It was discovered by Balfour Beatty employees on March 13 during clearance and excavation work for the firm’s £185 million Transport Scotland contract for dualling the A9 between Tomatin and Moy.
We revealed on March 25 that a yellow potty and length of carpet had been discovered, with Police Scotland treating the find as potentially significant.
The carpet has since been ruled out of inquiries.
Although Renee’s lover William MacDowell was convicted on September 29, 2022, of murdering the mum and his biological son, their bodies have never been located.
MacDowell died in prison a few months later, taking with him the secret of where he hid the bodies.
Before Balfour Beatty’s clearance work started between Tomatin and the infamous Dalmagarry layby, police briefed Balfour Beatty to be on alert for potential items of evidence.
A list of what to look out for was sent to the firm by police and included a suitcase, pushchair, coat and a yellow child’s potty.
The items were found about a mile south of Dalmagarry layby, where Renee’s burning BMW car was found on November 12, 1976, the night of their murder.
Police have so far refused to confirm the colour of the potty being examined.
Balfour Beatty’s sub-contractors Nicol of Skene recently began work on a water course at the site where the potty was found.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman confirmed “enquiries remain ongoing,” with the potty still being examined.
She also confirmed that officers “continue to liaise with those involved in the A9 work” but would not be present at any forthcoming works.
