Children left in home where Fife mother was killed

By Gareth Rose
Published on 13/03/2013 08:18

TWO young children were left to fend for themselves in the home where their mother had been killed in an 
apparent murder-suicide, it has been confirmed.

Police investigating the “tragedy” yesterday said a 12-month old boy and his sister, aged five, were in the ground-floor flat in Rosyth when Jennifer Rennie, 26, died.

It is believed she was killed by her former partner, Scott Simpson, 41, who then drove back to his home in Dalgety Bay and took his own life.

He had left their children in the property with their dead mother.

A neighbour discovered Ms Rennie’s body at 7:45am on Monday and called the police, although it is not known how long she had been dead for.

Ms Rennie’s family paid tribute to her yesterday. “Jenny was a loving mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend,” they said in a statement issued.

“She was a friend to everyone and will be sorely missed. We are all devastated by what has happened and would now ask to be allowed some privacy to grieve at this sad time.”

Ms Rennie worked as a customer care adviser at Dobbies garden centre, in Dalgety Bay.

Dougie White, general manager, said: “Our thoughts are with Jennifer’s family at this very sad time. We are all shocked and extremely saddened by the news.

“Jen was a dedicated mother to her two young children, who were her priority in life. Jen was a fantastic member of our team – she was very personable and she will be greatly missed by her colleagues and our customers.”

The murder is the first to be taken on by the new serious crime division, the CID of Police Scotland, which has come into force a few weeks before the single force is launched.

Detective Superintendent Gary Flannigan, of the serious crime division, said: “We’re dealing with a tragedy for two families here, with two young children in the centre of the tragedy.

“Events yesterday began, at a quarter to eight in the morning, with a call to the house in Rosyth, and that led us directly to the house in Dalgety Bay.

“In terms of the circumstances, we’re fairly confident that we know what we’re dealing with.”

A post-mortem was carried out on Ms Rennie’s body yesterday, with one to be held on Mr Simpson’s today.

Police would not be drawn on reports that Mr Simpson, a bodybuilder described as a “man mountain”, had used steroids and that had been the cause of the couple’s break-up after about six years together.

A neighbour in Letham Way, Dalgety Bay, said she had never seen the pair argue, or seen police called because of a disturbance.

However, there have been reports that Mr Simpson had money worries and that his partner left him after his temper 
became worse. Mr Flannigan said there were no previous incidents or reports relating to Mr Simpson.

He would not say what injuries the couple suffered, whether any weapons were used, or what time they died.

Their children, who did not directly witness their mother’s death and were uninjured in the incident, were being cared for by relatives yesterday.

Shocked neighbours in Findlay Street, Rosyth, where Ms Rennie had lived briefly, said the first most knew of her death was when police arrived and cordoned off the scene.

That cordon remained in force yesterday, along with two bouquets of flowers left as tributes.

Superintendent Dougie Milton, of Fife Constabulary, said: “If any individuals do have any information it would be gratefully received.”