Memorial held for Aberdeen scientist murdered in 1978

A trailblazing Aberdeen scientist who was murdered in 1978 has been remembered at a special tree-planting memorial service.

Brenda Page, 32, was killed by her ex-husband Christopher Harrisson in her home on 14 July 1978.

Harrisson was convicted on 9 March 2023 - almost 45 years on - at the High Court in Aberdeen, in what was one of Scotland's longest-running murder investigations.

Celebrating Dr Page's "scientific legacy"

At the University of Aberdeen Foresterhill campus, former colleagues and current scientists gathered to celebrate and remember the scientific legacy which was left by Dr Page.

A chestnut tree was planted near the laboratories where she used to work as principal in the genetics department.

A plaque dedicated to an "inspirational colleague" was positioned in front of the tree.

One of her former colleagues, Diane Sandison was secretary at the medical genetics department when Brenda died.

Attending the memorial service today, Diane described Dr Page as "lovely, kind, gentle, helpful, and always smiley."

Diane Massie helped out at the medical centre at the time - who also attended today - she explained the pair were thankful they now had a place to reflect and remember their former colleague.

Mrs Massie said: "It's closure and we have waited for so long to get justice.

"45 years on, it's good to know that we have that now.

"We've got somewhere people can reflect and take time and enjoy just sitting quietly knowing that she has been remembered."

Brenda was appointed head of the University of Aberdeen’s genetics department in 1973 and has been described as someone who led the way for females in science - a sector which was male dominated at the time.

In 1973, she was murdered by her ex-husband Christopher Harrisson a year after they had divorced.

Police Scotland’s Major Investigations Team re-investigated the murder in 2015 and reviewed all available material gathered over five decades, allowing modern investigative and forensic techniques to be applied.

It was this investigation that led to Harrisson’s arrest in 2020 and later his conviction.

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