Elgin mum Kiesha Donaghy’s murder – how her hometown in Moray reacted
A forty-strong team of police officers were deployed to track down Kiesha Donaghy’s murderer.
The shock discovery of the 32-year-old’s body was made at her home on Elgin’s Anderson Drive during the evening of Thursday, November 16, 2023.
The property was cordoned off as specialist forensic experts got to work inside.
On the street outside, meanwhile, bunches of flowers were laid in respect by those who had either known the mum-of-two, or had been moved by the news of her sudden death at such a young age.
Messages of support also appeared all over social media.
One said: “I hope people find out soon who was responsible and her family get justice. Such a cruel world we live in with evil people."
Police Scotland began to check the bins and drains around the neighbourhood as they searched for a weapon that might have been used in the murder.
Officers also began to call house to house, examining private CCTV and doorbell footage.
Appeals were also issued for dash cam footage from any vehicles that might have driven through that part of town.
It appeared that nobody had seen Kiesha since the day before her body was found.
New Elgin Primary School is just a stone’s throw from the murder scene.
With the emotional welfare of its young pupils in mind, Kathleen Robertson, the leader of Moray Council, announced: "The staff are working hard to keep things as normal as possible for the children so that they feel secure.”
A murder enquiry was officially launched the following Monday after an autopsy confirmed Kiesha had definitely been the victim of a violent attack.
A press conference was called at the Bucksburn police station in Aberdeen.
Detective Superintendent Lorna Ferguson, the officer in charge of the case, urged the general public to give her team all possible help as they continued their efforts to catch Kiesha’s killer.
DS Ferguson said: "It may seem small or insignificant but it could be vital to help us establish what happened and to give the family the answers they deserve.
“I've absolutely no doubt that, in the fullness of time, through witnesses, CCTV, and other means, through specialist resourcing that we have, that we will catch them.”
There was "no information to suggest" a further risk to the public, stated DS Ferguson, but she admitted she was keeping an "open mind" regarding the matter.
The news that a man, later revealed to be Owen Grant, had been arrested was announced on Thursday, November 30.
Grant, who was aged 41 at the time, appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court the next day.
Charged with murder, he gave no plea and was remanded in custody.
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