Marion Hodge: Police to reinvestigate woman’s 1984 disappearance

The disappearance of a woman from Lockerbie is to be reinvestigated after almost 40 years, Police Scotland has said.

Marion Hodge was reported missing in 1984 and subsequently declared legally dead in 1993.

Her body has never been found.

Police said the mother of two, who was 34 at the time, is understood to have been dropped off in the Whitesands area of Dumfries at 7.30am on July 6 1984.

Undated Police Scotland handout photo of Marion Hodge whose disappearance from Lockerbie is to be reinvestigated after almost 40 years. Marion was reported missing in 1984 and subsequently declared legally dead in 1993. Her body has never been found. Police said the mother of two, who was 34 at the time, is understood to have been dropped off in the Whitesands area of Dumfries at 7.30am on July 6 1984. Issue date: Monday February 28, 2022.Undated Police Scotland handout photo of Marion Hodge whose disappearance from Lockerbie is to be reinvestigated after almost 40 years. Marion was reported missing in 1984 and subsequently declared legally dead in 1993. Her body has never been found. Police said the mother of two, who was 34 at the time, is understood to have been dropped off in the Whitesands area of Dumfries at 7.30am on July 6 1984. Issue date: Monday February 28, 2022.
Undated Police Scotland handout photo of Marion Hodge whose disappearance from Lockerbie is to be reinvestigated after almost 40 years. Marion was reported missing in 1984 and subsequently declared legally dead in 1993. Her body has never been found. Police said the mother of two, who was 34 at the time, is understood to have been dropped off in the Whitesands area of Dumfries at 7.30am on July 6 1984. Issue date: Monday February 28, 2022.
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She was wearing a cream high-necked blouse, grey skirt and black sandals, and was carrying a blue canvas suitcase and brown handbag.

On Monday, Police Scotland said the Unresolved Homicide Investigation Team are appealing for information and will be speaking to previous witnesses in the case to find out what happened to Ms Hodge 37 years ago.

Detective Inspector Stephen McGrath, the senior investigating officer in the case, said: “We understand how devastating it is for loved ones to never know what happened.

“We are trying to get answers for Marion’s family and friends and we’re asking the public for help.

“We’re appealing to anyone who remembers anything unusual leading up to Marion’s disappearance, any sightings in the Whitesands area, or any other relevant information that might help our inquiry.”

Marion’s sister, Frances, also joined calls for people to come forward as she remembered her sister.

“When we were told that she had ‘gone away’, we believed this was uncharacteristic of Marion as she wouldn’t have left in that manner,” she said.

“She would never have turned her back on her children.

“The day Marion disappeared was her son’s 15th birthday. She thought too much of her children and would never have run out on them like that.”

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She added: “I would appeal to anyone who has any information from that time, or has since remembered anything that might prove to be crucial, to please contact the police.”

Police are urging anyone who may be able to help, or anyone with relevant information that could assist the police ion their ongoing enquiry to contact the dedicated inquiry team on 0141 305 4551 or alternatively to call Police Scotland on 101.