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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.

The true circumstances behind the death of Robert Higgins have never been determined. The 35-year-old Edinburgh man, who lived with his mother in Dalmeny, disappeared on his walk home from the pub in 1995. His body was found in a quarry in Kirkliston, after he was brutally stabbed to death. A man, William Arthurs, went on trial for the murder in 2007, but he walked free after the jury found the charges 'not proven'.

9. Robert Higgins

The true circumstances behind the death of Robert Higgins have never been determined. The 35-year-old Edinburgh man, who lived with his mother in Dalmeny, disappeared on his walk home from the pub in 1995. His body was found in a quarry in Kirkliston, after he was brutally stabbed to death. A man, William Arthurs, went on trial for the murder in 2007, but he walked free after the jury found the charges 'not proven'. Photo: BILL HENRY

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While this murder didn't take place in the Capital, it involves a local woman. Elizabeth Mackintosh, who was originally from Edinburgh but emigrated to America, was killed at a seminary in Missouri in 1990. The 50-year-old student was found strangled and stabbed in the toilets of a chapel at the religious college. Earlier this year, detectives identified a suspect, a fellow student at the seminary who had argued with Elizabeth the day before her murder. However, he was not charged due to a lack of sufficient evidence, meaning the 33-year-old case remains a cold one. Detectives in America are hoping to soon bring charges in a 33-year-old cold case where an Edinburgh student was murdered in March 1990.

10. Elizabeth Mackintosh

While this murder didn't take place in the Capital, it involves a local woman. Elizabeth Mackintosh, who was originally from Edinburgh but emigrated to America, was killed at a seminary in Missouri in 1990. The 50-year-old student was found strangled and stabbed in the toilets of a chapel at the religious college. Earlier this year, detectives identified a suspect, a fellow student at the seminary who had argued with Elizabeth the day before her murder. However, he was not charged due to a lack of sufficient evidence, meaning the 33-year-old case remains a cold one. Detectives in America are hoping to soon bring charges in a 33-year-old cold case where an Edinburgh student was murdered in March 1990. Photo: NW

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