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Edinburgh local Neil McCann was killed back nearly 50 years ago in 1974, but his murder has never been solved. The former soldier and ex-boxer was walking back from the pub on a quiet street in Craigmillar, when he was ambushed and stabbed by a group of men. Detectives suspect that McCann was killed by paid hitmen – who targeted the wrong person.Edinburgh local Neil McCann was killed back nearly 50 years ago in 1974, but his murder has never been solved. The former soldier and ex-boxer was walking back from the pub on a quiet street in Craigmillar, when he was ambushed and stabbed by a group of men. Detectives suspect that McCann was killed by paid hitmen – who targeted the wrong person.
Edinburgh local Neil McCann was killed back nearly 50 years ago in 1974, but his murder has never been solved. The former soldier and ex-boxer was walking back from the pub on a quiet street in Craigmillar, when he was ambushed and stabbed by a group of men. Detectives suspect that McCann was killed by paid hitmen – who targeted the wrong person.

Edinburgh crime: 10 of the most tragic unsolved murder cases from Edinburgh and the Lothians

Their killers have not yet been brought to justice
Anna Bryan
By Anna Bryan
Published 25th Jun 2023, 04:45 GMT
Updated 25th Jun 2023, 07:23 GMT

Take a look back at Edinburgh cold cases that are yet to be solved. The circumstances that led to the deaths of these Edinburgh locals are yet to be determined, and while police have theories, their killers could still be wandering the city’s streets. Decades have passed since the murders – but the victims’ families are still looking for answers.

These are 10 of the most tragic unsolved murder cases from Edinburgh and the Lothians.

It’s been over 50 years since Helen Kane was killed in Edinburgh, but the murder case remains unsolved. The 25-year-old Mum-of-four was found dead in a shallow building site near the Pleasance in 1970. Detectives determined that she died from head injuries after being hit with a slab. As part of their investigation into the murder, police interviewed World's End killer Angus Sinclair, and also considered whether there was any link to the Bible John killings, but the culprit was never identified.

5. Helen Kane

It’s been over 50 years since Helen Kane was killed in Edinburgh, but the murder case remains unsolved. The 25-year-old Mum-of-four was found dead in a shallow building site near the Pleasance in 1970. Detectives determined that she died from head injuries after being hit with a slab. As part of their investigation into the murder, police interviewed World's End killer Angus Sinclair, and also considered whether there was any link to the Bible John killings, but the culprit was never identified. Photo: JPI

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Edinburgh pub landlord William 'Billy' Sibbald was brutally killed after disappearing over 20 years ago. The father-of-three was last seen leaving his home in Portobello on Tuesday 8 October 2002, however, his body was not found until three months later, on January 10, 2003. The 48-year-old had been stabbed to death and robbed, before his body was abandoned at the side of the A1. Despite several appeals for information from his family and police, Billy's killer has never been caught.

6. William Sibbald

Edinburgh pub landlord William 'Billy' Sibbald was brutally killed after disappearing over 20 years ago. The father-of-three was last seen leaving his home in Portobello on Tuesday 8 October 2002, however, his body was not found until three months later, on January 10, 2003. The 48-year-old had been stabbed to death and robbed, before his body was abandoned at the side of the A1. Despite several appeals for information from his family and police, Billy's killer has never been caught. Photo: Neil Hanna

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Edinburgh police have been searching for Sheila Anderson's killer for 40 years, to no avail. The Mum-of-two, who was 29 when she was killed, was deliberately run over several times on April 7, 1983. Her body was found on the beach front at Gypsy Brae in Granton, only half an hour after she had been seen talking to a man outside a pub on West Granton Road. Police had a break through in 2008, when they found a DNA profile, but the case remains unsolved.

7. Sheila Anderson

Edinburgh police have been searching for Sheila Anderson's killer for 40 years, to no avail. The Mum-of-two, who was 29 when she was killed, was deliberately run over several times on April 7, 1983. Her body was found on the beach front at Gypsy Brae in Granton, only half an hour after she had been seen talking to a man outside a pub on West Granton Road. Police had a break through in 2008, when they found a DNA profile, but the case remains unsolved. Photo: TSPL

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It has been over 50 years since David McMenigall was murdered in his Edinburgh home, but his killer has not yet been brought to justice. The 55-year-old's body was discovered by his housekeeper, inside his rented bungalow on Glasgow Road in Corstorphine in 1966. Police believe David, who was a motor enthusiast, may have been murdered using a vintage metal motor horse emblem from a Ford Mustang car. Dozens of officers searched the area and several appeals have been made over the years, but the case is still cold.

8. David McMenigall

It has been over 50 years since David McMenigall was murdered in his Edinburgh home, but his killer has not yet been brought to justice. The 55-year-old's body was discovered by his housekeeper, inside his rented bungalow on Glasgow Road in Corstorphine in 1966. Police believe David, who was a motor enthusiast, may have been murdered using a vintage metal motor horse emblem from a Ford Mustang car. Dozens of officers searched the area and several appeals have been made over the years, but the case is still cold. Photo: Crauford Tait

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