Fresh appeal over murder of teenager in NI 53 years ago

A fresh appeal for information has been made over the murder of a teenage girl in Co Tyrone 53 years ago.

Marian Beattie, 18, was last seen alive at a charity dance at Hadden's Garage in Aughnacloy on 30 March 1973.

Her body was found at the bottom of a quarry early the next morning.

Exactly 53 years on, the PSNI have issued a new appeal for information from the public.

They said she was at the dance to listen to her brother's band, and was seen leaving with a young man just after 1am, walking in the direction of Hadden's Quarry.

Officers have asked to hear from anyone who remembers seeing Marian at the event or leaving it.

"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," a PSNI spokesperson said.

"We do not know what happened next but Marian's body was found at the bottom of the quarry below the car park."
The police spokesperson said Marian's family deserve to know what happened that night.

"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," they said.