Sympathy for family of Renee MacRare, following death of William MacDowell

Courier readers have been responding after the death of double murderer William MacDowell was announced.

It was reported yesterday that MacDowell (81) had died at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, near Falkirk.

He was convicted last year of the murder of Renee MacRae (36) and her son Andrew (3) in 1976.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a punishment period of 30 years, but his health had been in question before and throughout the trial.

Responding to the news online there was zero sympathy shown for him as readers expressed their sorrow for Renee MacRae and Andrew's family instead.

Tina Robertson said: "Doesn’t seem right he lived his life and a few months in jail and he still didn’t say where they are, so sad for Renee and her son and family."

Christina Paterson Connor said he didn’t serve long enough after sentencing.

"Shame he hasn’t given the location of the bodies," she added. "The family deserve to be able to lay them to rest."

Related article: MacDowell did not disclose where the bodies are before his death

Sheila Connor said simply his death was "not before time" while Raymond MacMillan said: "Pity he wasn't jailed decades ago."

Kristine Lawson said: "Shame he lived a life of Reilly and only paid for this in the last year."

And Myra Boa Ryan said: "Wish he told where they were for family's sake."

Liam Paul Ind called it "Karma" while Catherine Williamson said "he’s basically got away with it".

Kelly Dyer said: "Can't say I'm sorry to be honest.

"Just a shame on the family of Renee not getting closure."