New investigation ordered into the “doorstep murder” of Alistair Wilson

Scotland's chief justice has ordered a full re-investigation into the murder of banker Alistair Wilson almost 20 years ago.

The father of two was fatally injured in his home in Nairn, Scotland, in an incident that became known as the “doorstep murder.”

His murderer was never caught.

New teams of prosecutors from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and officers from the Scottish Police will work on the comprehensive investigation of cold cases.

Mr. Wilson, 30, was shot on November 28, 2004 and died of his injuries in hospital.

He and his wife Veronica had just bathed their two young sons and were about to read them a fairy tale when the murderer came to the door.

A stocky man aged 20 to 40 years and, wearing a baseball cap, addressed Mrs. Wilson, asking for her husband by name.

As he came down the stairs, the man handed him a blue envelope with the word “Paul” on it.

Mr. Wilson went inside briefly and when he returned, the man opened fire with a pistol.

The weapon in question was found in a drain on Seabank Road in Nairn by council workers cleaning out a drain on 8 December 2004.

The forensic analysis revealed that it was the murder weapon.

Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC has ordered a new investigation.

She said it was a “deeply disturbing” crime and the Wilson family had suffered a devastating loss.

She said: “Over many years, great efforts have been made to solve this case and a great deal of evidence has been collected.”

“However, I have come to the conclusion that it is appropriate to re-examine all the details of the case and conduct further investigations.

“I sincerely hope that this will bring justice for Alistair Wilson's family and for the wider community affected by this violent crime.”

The police investigation is overseen by a Detective Chief Superintendent.

Steve Johnson, deputy chief constable of Police Scotland, said the force remained committed to bringing the killer to justice.

He said: “As we approach the 20th anniversary of the murder of Alistair Wilson, our thoughts are with his family and the loss they have suffered.

“Unsolved murder cases in Scotland are never closed and there is no statute of limitations for passing information to the police.

“We appeal to anyone who may have information that has not yet been shared with the police to come forward. and report it.”

In December last yearMr Wilson's family complained to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) about the handling of the police investigation.

Police Scotland and COPFS said at the time they had met with the family to discuss the matters they had raised.

In early 2023, it was revealed that a potential suspect had been detained for another crime.

The name of the suspect, who was arrested for drug trafficking, was not disclosed by police.

In 2022, Scottish police said a dispute over the terrace of the Havelock Hotel, opposite the Wilsons' home, was the most likely motive for the shooting.

Since the original investigation began, police have taken thousands of statements.

In the first few months of the investigation, people in Nairn and the surrounding area were asked to voluntarily provide DNA samples.

Tests on the weapon, which was manufactured in Germany, failed to detect any DNA.

The Haenel Suhl pocket pistol dates back to the 1930s and police believe the weapon was probably brought to Britain as a souvenir after World War II.

The ammunition used in the murder was from the 1980s or 90s.