Police reopens investigation into death of 18-year old woman, murdered over 50 years ago

18-year-old Marian Beattie

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) Legacy Investigation Branch have launched a renewed appeal for information regarding the tragic murder of 18-year-old Marian Beattie, whose body was discovered at the bottom of a quarry in Aughnacloy over half a century ago.

The case, one of Northern Ireland’s enduring unsolved mysteries, has resurfaced as police seek to bring closure to the Beattie family.

On the evening of Friday, 30 March 1973, Marian Beattie attended a charity dance at Hadden’s Garage in Aughnacloy, County Tyrone, to enjoy a performance by her brother’s band.

Accompanied by a friend, the 18-year-old was last seen leaving the event shortly after 1am with a young man, heading towards the direction of Hadden’s Quarry, approximately 400 yards away.

Tragically, her body was found at the base of the quarry, 80-100 feet below the car park, just hours later at around 6 a.m. on Saturday, 31 March.

The drop from the car park above to the bottom of Hadden’s Quarry

Detective Inspector Thompson of the Legacy Investigation Branch is leading the reinvestigation and is urging anyone with information to come forward.

“We believe Marian left the dance at Hadden’s Garage with a man, walking in the direction of the nearby car park at the top of Hadden’s Quarry about 400 yards away from the garage,” Thompson said. “We do not know what happened next but Marian’s body was found at the bottom of the quarry approximately 80-100ft below the car park.”

The circumstances surrounding Marian’s death remain unclear, and police are keen to speak with anyone who attended the charity dance on that fateful night.

“I appreciate this murder took place over 50 years ago but we would like to talk to anyone who was at the dance at Hadden’s Garage on the night of Friday, 30th March 1973,” Thompson continued.

“Marian went there with a girlfriend to listen to her brother’s band. Did you see who she was dancing with or speaking with? Did you see her leave the dance with a man? Do you know who he was? Did you see her in the car park at the quarry any time after 1.15am on the Saturday morning?”

The car park above and the drop to the bottom of Hadden’s Quarry

Detectives are also appealing for information about anyone who may have appeared distressed or had dirt on their clothing after returning home from the dance, or who may have spoken about the events of that night in the years since.

“Marian’s family deserve to know what happened to her that night,” Thompson emphasised. “I am appealing to anyone who may be able to help us progress the investigation and bring some closure to the Beattie family to come forward and speak to Detectives in Legacy Investigation Branch.”

The PSNI’s Legacy Investigation Branch, tasked with reviewing historical cases from Northern Ireland’s past, hopes that advancements in investigative techniques and fresh public input could unlock new leads in this decades-old case.

The quarry, a stark and isolated location, has long cast a shadow over the Aughnacloy community, and Marian’s death remains a poignant reminder of an unresolved tragedy.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the PSNI by calling 101 or submitting a report online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. For those preferring anonymity, Crimestoppers can be reached on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

The renewed investigation underscores the PSNI’s commitment to resolving cold cases, no matter how much time has passed. For the Beattie family, the hope is that answers may finally bring peace after more than 50 years of uncertainty.