A man who believed his parents were 'demonic entities' killed his mother while she was reporting him to the police for attempting to poison his father. Thomas Fraser, 31, stabbed Miriam MacDonald, 52, in the neck as she was on a 999 call on June 1 last year.
Attack at Family Home
Earlier that day, Fraser had spiked a can of juice that his father, Ian MacDonald, 55, had been drinking. He then turned knives on his father before fleeing the family home in Inverness after brave neighbours intervened to help the couple. Mrs MacDonald died in hospital shortly after the attack. Fraser was later traced by police and made a series of 'disturbing' remarks, including: 'I am Lucifer'.
Mental Health Decline
Fraser faced charges of murder and attempted murder at the High Court in Glasgow. However, he was acquitted after prosecutors accepted he was not mentally competent at the time. Psychiatrists concluded that Fraser was suffering from a mental disorder and did not appreciate the 'nature or wrongfulness' of his conduct. The court heard that Fraser believed his parents had been killed and replaced by a 'demonic entity'.
Prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC told the hearing that Fraser, a twin, had moved back to his parents' home in Inverness in March 2023 after previously studying for a PhD in Electronic Engineering at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. He had been awarded a Master's degree in the subject. The court heard there had been a decline in his mental health at university, and he became 'reclusive' upon returning to Inverness.
Details of the Incident
Days before the attacks, Mr MacDonald discovered a 'white residue' on the edge of the water tank of his Nespresso coffee machine. He suspected Fraser had put a cleaning substance into it. Fraser was confronted but denied responsibility. Later, Mr MacDonald drank from a can of Pepsi that had been left unattended, finding it tasted flat and chemical. He spat it out. Mrs MacDonald then dialled 999, concerned that Fraser had tried to poison his father.
While Mrs MacDonald was still on the phone, her husband began walking out of the kitchen. He looked behind him and saw Fraser holding a knife in each hand. Fraser lunged towards Mr MacDonald, slashing his arm and stabbing him in the chest. Mrs MacDonald screamed: 'Oh, they are fighting. Oh my God, he has got a knife. Can you please come? He's coming with a knife.' Mr MacDonald managed to stagger outside into the front garden. While Mrs MacDonald was still on the call, Fraser attacked her, striking her neck with a knife and repeatedly stabbing her.
Two neighbours heard the commotion and armed themselves with a shovel and a golf club to chase Fraser away. He was later arrested and, when charged, said: 'Embarrassing I did not finish the job.'
Court Outcome
Donald Findlay KC, defending, said: 'He is a very intelligent young man, an outstanding career in prospect in government service in relation to radar and all sorts of research matters. But something terrible has gone wrong.' Lord Mulholland adjourned the hearing until July for updated medical reports, and Fraser will remain at the State Hospital at Carstairs for treatment.
