Who was Mary McLaughlin and how long will Graham McGill serve for killing her?

A BBC TWO series is set to explore the murder of mum-of-eleven Mary McLaughlin, 30 years after she was killed. Mary’s body was tragically discovered in 1984, however, it wasn’t until 2014 that police were finally able to make a breakthrough in the case. On October 2, 1984, the body of Mary McLaughlin, 58, was found in her flat in the west end of Glasgow. She was discovered by her son, Martin Cullen, and was found lying on a bare mattress with her dress on back-to-front.

On September 27, 1984, the night of her death, Mary had been out with friends at a local pub. After 10 pm, she left to head back to her flat, which was located less than a mile away. After leaving the pub, Mary stopped off to buy some food and cigarettes from a chip shop on Dumbarton Road. Mary was last seen alive on September 26, after leaving the Hyndland Pub. During the investigation, a witness told police that they saw an unknown man following her.

Upon finding her body five days later, it was confirmed that Mary had been strangled to death with a dressing gown cord. Police also confirmed that there were no signs of forced entry. Despite collecting more than 1,000 statements, the case went cold until 2014, when a new DNA profiling facility allowed for more in-depth testing. Originally, only 11 DNA marks had been identified, but thanks to more in-depth testing, scientists could now identify 24 markers and were able to test samples that had been kept from the initial investigation, including hair and nails.

Scientists also tested a cigarette butt that had caught the attention of investigating officers. It was discovered in an ashtray in Mary’s flat, but it wasn’t the brand she usually preferred. After the cigarette butt was sent off for testing, scientists were able to establish a ‘’direct match’’, which led officers to Graham McGill - a serial sex offender who had been in a prison in Edinburgh at the time.

Despite finding McGill’s DNA on both the cigarette butt and Mary’s dressing gown cord, Former Det Sgt Kenny McCubbin explained: "He's got the perfect alibi. How could he commit the murder if he was in prison?". After searching through various documents and records, police discovered that McGill had been TTF, Training for Freedom, at the time of Mary's murder - this meant he was allowed to go home on the weekends.

At the time of Mary’s murder, McGill was 22-years-old. In April 2021, McGill was found guilty of murder and sentenced to a minimum of 14 years behind bars. It will then be for the parole board to assess the risk he poses and decide whether or not he should be released. During the sentencing, Lord Burns made the following statement: ‘’36 years after the death of Mary McLaughlin, you have been convicted of her murder.

‘’She was 58 when she died and you were 22. You are now 59. Her family has had to wait all that time in order to discover who was responsible for that act knowing that whoever did it was probably at large in the community. ‘’They had never given up the hope that someday they would find out what had happened to her. They have been deprived of her love and companionship.’’. The statement continued: ‘’It is due to the perseverance of police authorities, and in particular the forensic biologists, that your guilt could be demonstrated.

‘’The evidence showed that your chance encounter with Mary McLaughlin that night allowed you to take advantage of a vulnerable and lonely woman who was probably intoxicated. ‘’The attack took place within her own home to which she may have invited you. She was wholly unable to defend herself against any attack from someone like you.’’. BBC Two’s Murder Case: The Hunt for Mary McLaughlin’s Killer will air on Wednesday, February 19 at 9 pm.