Shetland mother-of-two, 40, is found dead with ‘throat slashed’

Mother-of-two, 40, is found dead with ‘throat slashed’ as police launch third murder probe on remote Shetland island in 50 years

  • Mother-of-two Tracy Walker, 40, was found dead in Lerwick on Shetland
  • Carer was victim of ‘horrific’ knife attack and had her ‘throat slashed’ 
  • Police have launched murder probe which is third in 50 years on the island
  • Her brother Dell Smith, 43, described her as ‘the best human you could meet’

A murder probe has been launched for just the third time in 50 years on a remote Scottish island after a mother of two was found dead with her throat ‘slashed’.

The woman, 40, named locally as Tracy Walker, was discovered at around 2am on Tuesday outside a property in Lerwick, the main town on Shetland.

Last night, police said a man aged 31 and a 27-year-old woman had been arrested in connection with the death. 

Ms Walker, also known as Tracy Anderson, has worked as a carer on the island and lived near where she was found. Sources claimed she was the victim of a ‘horrific knife attack’.

Paying tribute, her brother Dell Smith, 43, said: ‘She was the best human being you could meet.’

Ms Walker, pictured was described as the 'best human being you could meet' by her brother

Mother-of-two Tracy Walker, pictured left and right, was found dead in Lerwick, Shetland, on Tuesday morning with her ‘throat slashed’

Her late mother, Jean Wiseman, and her father, Derek Smith, 73, are reported to have split up when she was a baby.

Last night, Mr Smith, who lives in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, said he had not had much contact with his daughter in recent years.

He told The Scottish Sun: ‘This is such a massive shock. It’s hard to accept she’s gone. Tracy was a very independent girl. We last spoke three or four months ago.’

Police were called to the scene over a concern for the welfare of a seriously injured woman in the area.

Officers said that she was pronounced dead at the scene and confirmed that her death is being treated as suspicious. 

In another dramatic incident in the community, two people – an elderly woman and a teenage boy – were taken to hospital after a house in the village of Brae, around 20 miles away, was destroyed in a gas explosion. 

A murder probe has been launched, the third on the island in 50 years. Pictured are police at the scene

A murder probe has been launched, the third on the island in 50 years. Pictured are police at the scene

The blast in Brae, at around 2pm yesterday, tore apart a house in Ockragarth, a cul-de-sac that forms part of a housing estate known locally as Toy Town.

Furniture, rubble and belongings were strewn around the street.

The boy is reported to have been in a bedroom at the time of the explosion but managed to ‘roll out’ of the collapsed structure with only minor injuries.

Neighbours helped the woman, who is in her eighties, from the property and cared for her while waiting for the ambulance. A doctor from Brae surgery also attended. 

The woman, who has been named locally as Peggy Griffiths, was said to be in a serious condition, although her injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

One neighbour said: ‘The house is completely destroyed inside. It’s like a bomb site. It’s a miracle they are both alive.’ 

Firefighters were later seen dousing the building to keep the dust down from the collapsed structure’s asbestos roof.

Propane gas is thought to have caused the blast and a blaze. 

The property near where she was found on Shetland has been cordoned off by officers

The property near where she was found on Shetland has been cordoned off by officers

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