IT IS a year since detectives relaunched their bid to solve the murder of Marion Hodge — and they say they are still committed to finding out what happened to her.
The case was passed to Police Scotland’s Unresolved Homicide Investigation Team in February 2022, with officers optimistic they could finally solve the 38-year-old mystery.
But 12 months on, despite describing the public response as ‘positive’, there have been no major updates.
Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Angela Barr told the Annandale Herald this week that enquiries into the reinvestigation of the mum-of-two’s murder remain ongoing.
She said: “Despite the passage of time, detectives remain committed to finding out what happened to Marion and to bring closure to her family and friends.
“The response to our appeal, which was launched on Monday, 28 February, 2022, has been positive.
“We continue to review and assess the information we have obtained, and any further evidence gathering opportunities will be investigated.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the public for their assistance with our enquiries so far.
“I urge anyone who believes they may have any information which may help up us piece together what happened to Marion to get in touch. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem, it could help us build a bigger picture.”
She stressed that the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP), a website that gives the public access to a form so they can send information directly to the dedicated team, remains open. It supplements the standard reporting methods which include phoning Crimestoppers anonymously or Police Scotland directly on 101.
The online form can be found at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/96HO020308D09-PO1.
Marion, who lived at Balgray, was 34 when she disappeared in July 1984. It was said that she was dropped off in the Whitesands area of Dumfries and never seen again.
She was declared dead by the Court of Session in 1992.
Speaking at Lockerbie Police Station last year, DI Stephen McGrath said: “The discovery of Marion’s body is of paramount importance to us. The family have gone 38 years without knowing what happened to Marion and they deserve that closure.
“I’m confident we’ll get to the bottom of this.”
