Families Demand Justice for Unsolved Glasgow Murders from 1990s and 2000s
Relatives of women who worked in Glasgow's red light district are intensifying their calls for answers, as four murders from the 1990s and early 2000s remain unsolved. A new podcast series has brought fresh attention to these cold cases, interviewing family members who express deep frustration and allege corruption in the police investigations.
Podcast Highlights Allegations of Police Corruption
The Beware Book podcast, launched by Rayo, delves into the deaths of eight women during this period, with half of the cases still unresolved. In the first episode, released on Monday, the focus is on Diane McInally, a 23-year-old whose body was found in Pollok Park in 1991. Two men were charged but later released due to insufficient evidence, leaving her family without closure.
Shirley Waters, Diane's cousin, voiced strong criticism of the police, stating: "They're all corrupt. It's all corruption, I think. So it is. They'll choose the crimes they want to pursue and whatever. They don't go for the big fish." Her aunt, Elizabeth Glover, added that Diane was a "lovely mother" who "went down the wrong road," and suggested that sex workers in earlier decades faced fewer dangers.
Unresolved Cases and Family Distrust
Alongside Diane McInally, the murders of Karen McGregor, Leona McGovern, and Jacqueline Gallagher remain unsolved. Family members report that they have not been contacted by Police Scotland, fueling their distrust. The podcast's title, Beware Book, refers to a diary used by sex workers to warn each other about dangerous clients, underscoring the perilous environment these women navigated.
The launch of this podcast follows the recent conviction of Iain Packer for the murder of Emma Caldwell in 2005, nearly two decades after the crime, highlighting the prolonged struggles for justice in such cases.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigations
A spokesperson for Police Scotland acknowledged the pain experienced by the families, stating: "We do acknowledge the pain and the distress suffered by the families. We'd like to reassure those victims and their families that we haven't forgotten about you or your loved ones. There should be regular contact with families and if that's not the case, we want to rectify that." The force has emphasized that these cases are not closed and remain under review.
The initial episodes of the Beware Book podcast are available from 23 March on platforms including the Rayo app, Apple, and Amazon Music, aiming to keep public pressure on these unresolved murders.
