Police appeal on 40th anniversary of Borders woman's murder

Sheila Anderson, 27, was found with serious injuries on Gypsy Brae by the Granton foreshore in Edinburgh on Thursday, April 7, 1983.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and she was taken by ambulance to the nearby Western General Hospital but medics were unable to save her life.

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A post-mortem later confirmed that her death had resulted from multiple injuries consistent with being crushed, probably by a heavy motor vehicle.

Her killer has not been brought to justice.

Sheila Anderson Photo Lothian and Borders Police

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Geddes, of the homicide governance and review team, said: “Police Scotland is aware of the milestone anniversary, 40 years, since the murder of Sheila Anderson in Edinburgh in April 1983.

“Her murder remains unresolved but, as with all such cases, it is subject to continued review and should any new information be received, it will be thoroughly assessed to determine whether it could assist the inquiry.

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“If so, it will be appropriately acted upon by dedicated officers.

"If you believe you have information relevant to Sheila's murder, but have never spoken to police, then please contact police immediately via 101.

“Alternatively, you could contact Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111."

Sheila, who came from a close family and wanted to be a nurse, moved to Edinburgh while the capital was in the grip of a heroin epidemic.

The mother-of-two was caught in the city’s drug scene and became a sex worker.

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A murder enquiry was launched under the command of Detective Chief Inspector Jimmy Wilson.

There were various sightings of Sheila during the day in West Granton and Leith, and the final confirmed sighting was in Commercial Street around 11.30pm by two police officers.

Her handbag was found near a car park at Longniddry Bents, East Lothian, on Sunday, April 10, 1983.

Despite an extensive investigation at the time the person responsible for Sheila’s murder was not traced.

Then 26 years later the case was reopened after forensic experts built a full DNA profile of a person suspected of being the killer.

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In 2009, BBC Crimewatch aired a reconstruction of Sheila's last movements as part of a nationwide appeal which saw several calls made to police. None of the leads came to fruition.

In a statement made at that time her family said: "Sheila's death affected all our lives, and still does to this day. We will remember Sheila as a woman with a gentle nature who was loving and caring.

"She touched the hearts of all who knew her and was much loved by us all. We hope that, after many years, we will obtain the answers to the questions that we have."

While her killer has not been found, Sheila's murder was the catalyst for change in the way the sex industry in Scotland’s capital was policed.

The focus shifted to ensuring officers understood that they had the same duty of care to sex workers as they do to all others in the society they protect.