Published: Friday, 14th November, 2008 12:30
Heartache as Elaine's grave is trashed
By Lorraine Tinney
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DEVASTATED: Jack and Maureen Doyle beside their daughter’s gravestone.
A HEARTBROKEN couple whose beloved daughter was murdered 20 years ago have been left devastated after yobs vandalised her headstone.
Jack and Maureen Doyle’s daughter, Elaine, was 16 when she died during a brutal attack.
Despite a massive police investigation, her killer has never been found.
Her parents make a fortnightly pilgrimage to Greenock Cemetery to place flowers on her grave and were distraught to find the memorial pushed over last week.
Her mum Maureen, 66, said: “Losing Elaine is the first thing that hits you when you wake up every day. It never goes away.
“We would like the culprit who vandalised her headstone to be found and punished.”
The couple are convinced the stone, in a remote part of the cemetery, has been targeted between 4 and 9 November.
Elaine’s dad Jack, also 66, said: “We’re devastated — we think it’s been done deliberately.
“It’s not routine vandalism and it is very upsetting for the family. I think it’s something to do with the investigation.”
But the pensioners, who now live in Gourock, are encouraged by the most recent police inquiry and they are convinced their daughter’s killer will be found.
Maureen said: “We are encouraged by the police and CID officers have been keeping us up to date for the past 22 years. We’ve never given up hope.”
Elaine’s partially-clothed body was found in a lane only yards from her home in Ardgowan Street, Greenock, on 2 June 1986.
A week later, her half-burnt blue handbag was discovered on the steps of the Watt Library.
Detective Inspector Ross Mackay said: “We are appealing to anyone who was in Greenock cemetery between 4 and 9 November and saw anything suspicious to contact Greenock police office.
“The murder investigation is continuing and I am making a further appeal for anyone who has information about the case to contact the inquiry team on 492514.”
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