The Unsolved Murder of Alistair Wilson
Exploring the theories surrounding the murder of Alistair Wilson.
On the 28th of November 2004, Alistair Wilson, a 30-year-old banker, was shot dead on the doorstep of his home in Nairn, Scotland. The murder has become known as “The Doorstep Murder” and one of Scotland’s most infamous unsolved murders. Despite extensive investigations, the case remains unsolved and it’s circumstances continue to puzzle investigators and the public.
On the evening of the murder, a man in his 30s or 40s, wearing a baseball cap, rang the Wilsons’ doorbell on Crescent Road, Nairn. Alistair’s wife, Veronica, answered the door and the man asked for her husband by name. Alistair was upstairs reading bedtime stories to his two sons. When Alistair came to the door, the man handed him a blue envelope labelled "Paul." Alistair went inside briefly in a confused state, seemingly at odds to who the man was and what he was wanting. He returned to the door and was shot multiple times. He lay dying on the doorstep as members of the public rushed to Alistair’s aid from the nearby pub but he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The murder weapon, a Haenel Suhl pocket pistol dating back to the 1930s was discovered ten days later in a drain near the scene in Nairn. The outdated nature of the gun has raised questions about it’s origins but has provided few solid leads for police.
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Since the murder there has been some wild and at times unsubstantiated theories related to the murder. Let’s take a look:
Work-related Motive
Alistair Wilson was a local business banking manager for Bank of Scotland and this led to speculation that the murder could have been linked to his professional life. However, no evidence has surfaced to suggest disputes or criminal activity tied to his work. One theory, raised by former investigator Peter Bleksley, suggests a potential link to financial irregularities involving Livingston Football Club during it’s financial troubles in the early 2000s. Bleksley speculated that Wilson's banking role might have exposed him to sensitive financial dealings related to the club. However, this theory has been largely speculative, and Police Scotland has noted that no concrete evidence has tied Wilson to the club's affairs.
Mistaken Identity
Some have questioned whether Alistair was a victim of mistaken identity. The mysterious envelope had the name “Paul” on it however we know Alistair was asked for by name at the door. Some believe the word “Paul” meant “pay and you(u) live”. According to some sources there was another Alistair Wilson living in the area at the time but Police ruled out he had any connection to the murder.
Gangland Links
Some believe his murder was connected to criminal activity in the area. The professional nature of the execution could suggest this is the case. The unique style of the gun used in the hit has also resulted in some claiming there are paramilitary links to the murder although no evidence has proved as such.
The Wife’s Involvement
In the aftermath of Alistair Wilson's murder, his wife, Veronica Wilson, faced unfounded speculation regarding her involvement in the crime. Such rumours were distressing for the family, particularly for their son Andrew Wilson, who found it challenging when people insinuated his mother's involvement. He expressed that these baseless accusations added to the family's emotional burden during an already traumatic period. Despite the speculation, Veronica has consistently cooperated with police and publicly appealed for information to solve her husband's murder. She has described the lack of answers as a "dark shadow" over their lives, emphasising that uncovering the truth would enable the family to move forward. There is no evidence implicating Veronica Wilson in the crime, and she is not considered a suspect.
Decking Dispute
The latest theory and the one Police Scotland appear to support relates to a decking dispute with the pub across the road from the Wilson’s house. In the months leading up to his murder, Alistair Wilson lodged a formal objection to a retrospective planning application for a decking area constructed at the Havelock Hotel, situated directly opposite his home on Crescent Road, Nairn. Wilson's concerns related to increased noise and litter resulting from the decking, which had been built earlier that summer without prior approval. Detectives have noted that Wilson's objection became public knowledge shortly before his death, with discussions about it occurring within the Havelock Hotel. This sequence of events has led investigators to consider the possibility that the dispute over the decking may be linked to Wilson's murder. Officers even travelled to Canada to interview the former owner of the Havelock Hotel as a witness. Interestingly Alistair’s written objection was read out after his death at a council planning meeting about the decking.
In April 2022, Police Scotland formally announced the decking theory to the public. They stated that they believe the answer to his murder lies within his personal life and not connected to his employment at the Bank of Scotland. They have appealed for anyone involved in the construction of the decking or with knowledge of the planning dispute to come forward, emphasising that even seemingly insignificant information could be crucial to the investigation.
In September 2024 as the 20th anniversary of the murder approached, Scotland's Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain KC, ordered a comprehensive reinvestigation of the case, assigning a new team of police officers and prosecutors to re-examine the evidence and pursue fresh leads.
This decision followed public criticism from the Wilson family, who expressed a loss of confidence in Police Scotland's handling of the investigation. They described the police as "incompetent" and indicated that their trust in the authorities had "eroded" over the years. They made a series of complaints about Police Scotland’s handling of the murder investigation while claiming they were misled about a planned arrest of a suspect in May 2023.
In October 2024, former Metropolitan Police detective Peter Bleksley highlighted a potential new witness which was widely reported in Scottish media. Shortly after Wilson's shooting in 2004, an elderly man was reportedly seen weeping on a park bench, expressing disbelief that his son could commit such a crime. This person has never been traced.
Despite there being no arrests 20 years later, the investigation remains active, with Police Scotland continuing to appeal for information that could lead to a resolution of this longstanding case. Detectives have reiterated that even seemingly minor details could be crucial in uncovering the truth behind Alistair Wilson's murder.