THE PSNI HAS re-opened its investigation into the 1973 murder of a teenage girl whose body was found at the bottom of a quarry.
Marian Beattie was just 18 when her body was found at a quarry hours after she left a dance with an unknown man.
Detectives from Serious Crime Branch have now re-opened the investigation into her murder 40 years ago, after a review of the case.
Marian Beattie
Beattie lived in Portadown but attended a charity dance at Hadden’s Garage in Aughnacloy on Friday 30 March 1973 because her brother played in the band.
She was seen leaving the dance just after 1am with a young man. Five hours later, her partially-clothed body was found at the bottom of the nearby Hadden’s Quarry between Aughnacloy and Ballygawley.
Detective Inspector Peter Montgomery, from Serious Crime Branch, said:
We believe Marian and a man left the dance at Hadden’s Garage and went to the nearby car park at the top of Hadden’s Quarry about 400 yards away which was frequented by courting couples. Something happened there but we have no evidence to suggest Marian was sexually assaulted. Her body was found early the next morning at the bottom of the quarry which is between 80-100ft below the car park.
Det Montgomery said that detectives are working again to identify the man with whom Marian left the dance.
If you are this man or you know who he is, please contact us. Our office telephone number is 028 9070 0727 or our mobile is 07585 22 82 83.
Marian Beattie's body was found at this quarry. Pic: PSNI
“I appreciate this happened a long time ago but we would like to talk to anyone who was at the dance at Hadden’s Garage on the night of Friday 30 March 1973," said Det Montgomery.
"Marian went there with a girlfriend to listen to her brother’s band but who was she dancing with and talking to? Did you see her leave Hadden’s Garage? Did you see her at the car park at Hadden’s Quarry sometime after 1.15am on the Saturday morning"
He also asked if anyone remembers "someone coming home from that dance in a distressed or dishevelled state, with perhaps dust or dirt on their clothes? Or has anyone ever talked about the events of that night?"
Anyone who can help the PSNI to answer any of these questions is asked to contact them on their office telephone number - 028 9070 0727 - or mobile number: 07585 22 82 83.
Marian was an ordinary girl who went to a charity dance and ended up dead. Her family deserve answers to questions which never go away. I believe there is a man, and possibly other people, who know what happened that night.I would urge them to do the decent thing and tell us what they know so that the Beattie family can have closure and justice can be done.
Anyone with information can contact detectives on 028 9070 0727 or 07585 22 82 83. Alternatively, people can provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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