The Unsolved Murder of Elizabeth McCabe: Dundee’s Templeton Woods Mystery
The murder of Elizabeth McCabe in February 1980 remains one of Scotland’s most haunting unsolved crimes, casting a long shadow over the city of Dundee. Found strangled in Templeton Woods, the 20-year-old’s death triggered one of the largest manhunts in Scottish history and left behind a trail of fear, speculation, and mystery that still lingers more than four decades later.
A Night Out That Turned Fatal
Elizabeth McCabe was a quiet and shy trainee nursery nurse, living with her family on Lyndhurst Avenue in Lochee, a suburb of Dundee. She rarely drank or went out, but on Sunday, February 10, 1980, she joined her friend Sandra Niven for a night on the town. After visiting several pubs, the pair ended up at Teazer’s Disco on Union Street in the city centre.
The night ended in confusion. Around 12:30 a.m., Niven and McCabe became separated while leaving the club. McCabe, who had earlier been seen crying in the disco’s bathroom, never made it home. Niven looked for her outside the venue and at a nearby taxi rank, but assumed she had gone off alone.
Elizabeth’s parents were immediately concerned. She was known to always return home and had work the next day. Her mother reported her missing the following evening, mistakenly believing that 24 hours had to pass before contacting police.
A Grim Discovery in Templeton Woods
More than two weeks later, on February 26, 1980, two men hunting rabbits with their dogs discovered McCabe’s naked body in Templeton Woods, just outside Dundee. Her body was found in a small clearing, partially covered by branches in a crude attempt to hide it. A dark blue jumper was draped over her shoulders, and her death was confirmed to have been caused by asphyxiation due to neck compression.
The post-mortem suggested a sudden death, possibly due to vagal inhibition, which can occur during neck pressure in a struggle or sex act. There were no clear signs of sexual assault, and robbery did not appear to be the motive.
A City Gripped by Fear
The location of McCabe’s body was only 150 yards from where the body of Carol Lannen, an 18-year-old sex worker, had been found just 11 months earlier, in March 1979. The press dubbed the killings the Templeton Woods murders, leading to widespread fear of a serial killer operating in the area.
Despite similarities in the two cases—young female victims found dead in the same wooded area—police never officially linked the murders. Still, the public speculation and fear were palpable, particularly since no suspect was identified in either case at the time.
Breakthroughs and False Hopes
In 2004, advances in DNA profiling led to the McCabe case being reopened. It was briefly considered as part of Operation Trinity, an inquiry that investigated unsolved cases potentially connected to notorious serial killer Angus Sinclair. However, Sinclair was later ruled out as a suspect.
Police then turned their attention to a former taxi driver and convicted criminal who had been a suspect in the original investigation. He admitted to being in Templeton Woods the night McCabe disappeared and described himself as a “peeping Tom”. Forensic analysis found DNA on items connected to the murder with a 1 in 40 million chance of belonging to anyone else.
In 2007, the suspect stood trial for McCabe’s murder. Despite the compelling DNA evidence, the jury found him not guilty by a majority decision. After the verdict, police announced they were not seeking any other suspects, suggesting they believed they had tried the right man.
A Trail of Clues
Several of McCabe’s personal items were found in scattered locations around Dundee in the weeks following her death. Some of her clothing was found near Coupar Angus Road, while her jewelry and a personal photo were discovered on Cobden Street in April. Weeks later, her shoes were also recovered in the same area.
These scattered items fueled theories that the killer may have kept and later disposed of the evidence, possibly to cover his tracks or confuse investigators.
The Lingering Mystery
More than 40 years later, the murder of Elizabeth McCabe remains unsolved. The case continues to evoke fear and fascination in Scotland. It has been featured in documentaries, including STV’s Unsolved series, and continues to be a symbol of justice denied.
Elizabeth’s quiet life and tragic death stand in stark contrast to the violence she suffered. Her story is a sobering reminder of how some crimes can slip through the cracks, despite determined efforts and modern forensic tools.
As time passes, new information may still emerge, but for now, Templeton Woods remains a place of unanswered questions—and the memory of a young woman whose life was stolen far too soon.
