A 67-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a woman more than 30 years after she was found in the woods.
Shona Stevens, 31, was discovered badly injured on a path just 200 yards from her home in Irvine, North Ayrshire, on November 10, 1994.
The ‘beautiful’ mother died in hospital three days later.
Yesterday, Police Scotland announced a man had been arrested – with an update today revealing he has now been charged.
Senior investigation officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Gillies said: ‘I would like to thank the members of the local community who assisted us in our inquiries.
‘I am grateful for their information and input which greatly contributed to our investigation.’
The man is expected to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Monday, July 28.
DCI Gillies said earlier this year he was ‘confident that there are answers in the community’ and ‘there is always the possibility that there are further witnesses that haven’t been identified or haven’t come forward’.
Murder victim Shona Stevens was found yards from her home in Irvine, Ayrshire in November 1994
Ms Stevens (pictured with her daughter) suffered severe head trauma and died in hospital three days later. Her killer was never caught
Ms Stevens’ daughter was just seven-years-old when her mother was killed.
She said: ‘My mum was my inspiration. Every moment I got to spend with her I cherished and I only wish I could have known her as an adult.
‘I have tried to follow her ideals. She was incredibly bright, academic, multi-talented and just such a beautiful person.
‘I was seven-years-old when I lost my mum. When I saw her coffin that’s when it hit me that she was gone.
‘Losing my mum has impacted every facet of my life. To anyone that’s got any information about Shona’s case, please, please share whatever you know with the police.
‘Any little bit of information, however insignificant you think it may be, please share it.
‘It’s been 30 years. My mum deserves justice, my gran is 90-years-old and she deserves justice and so do I.’
Police said Ms Stevens walked to the Co-op in Bourtreehill shopping centre at around 1pm on the day she was attacked.
Ms Stevens (pictured) daughter Candice has described her mother as an ‘inspiration’ and ‘a beautiful woman’
She was last seen walking alone on Towerlands Road at around 1.10pm.
Ten minutes later, she was found in a wooded area near to the back of Alder Green, only 200 yards from her home.
Police said they believed her killer had local connections and urged anyone with information to contact them.
In 2021, detectives released images of a distinctive novelty keyring in a fresh bid to solve the cold case.
Police said the cartoon-style figure looked as if it had broken off a keyring and was found during the initial search of the crime scene.
