MISSING MOIRA ANDERSON'S GRAVE EXHUMATION IN COATBRIDGE: 56 YEARS OF MYSTERY UNRAVELED

In a significant development in one of Scotland's most enduring cold cases, authorities are set to open the family grave of Moira Anderson, a young girl who vanished from her home in Coatbridge nearly 56 years ago. The decision to exhume the grave at Old Monkland Cemetery marks a crucial step toward uncovering the truth behind her mysterious disappearance.

Moira Anderson was just 11 years old when she disappeared on February 23, 1957, while running an errand for her grandmother in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire. Her disappearance has haunted the community and investigators for decades, with many believing she was abducted and murdered, although her remains have never been recovered. The case remains unsolved, despite numerous investigations and public campaigns for justice.

The exhumation process is set to commence today, focusing on the grave of Sinclair Upton, a man reportedly known to Alexander Gartshore, a former Coatbridge bus driver who died in 2006. Gartshore has been linked to the case, notably through allegations made by his own daughter, Sandra Brown, in her book 'Where There is Evil.' Brown claims that Gartshore was responsible for Moira's death, although he was never formally questioned about her disappearance. Gartshore was previously convicted of raping his family’s 13-year-old babysitter and served four years in prison, but authorities never connected him directly to Moira's case.

The grave at Old Monkland Cemetery is believed to contain multiple bodies, with reports suggesting it holds up to eight individuals. The forensic team, led by renowned anthropologist Professor Sue Black, will carefully excavate the site over several days. Experts involved in the operation are highly trained in excavation and forensic analysis, aiming to determine whether Moira's remains might be hidden beneath other bodies or within the coffin itself. There is speculation that her body could have been dumped under a coffin, possibly during a time when the grave was open around the time of her disappearance.

This exhumation effort follows a series of investigations and renewed interest in the case. In March 2012, the Crown Office indicated that they were considering exhuming a specific grave after ground-penetrating radar revealed anomalies in the plot. Sandra Brown, who has tirelessly campaigned for justice, expressed her conviction that Moira was initially disposed of in a ditch at Gartgill before being moved to the cemetery. She stated, “I am convinced Moira was placed in a ditch at Gartgill and later moved to an open grave at Old Monkland Cemetery.”

Gartshore's involvement in the case has been further complicated by a deathbed confession from James Gallogley, a convicted paedophile who, while incarcerated in Peterhead Prison in 1999, named Gartshore as the murderer. Gallogley also alleged the existence of a paedophile ring operating in the area at the time, implicating some influential figures. These revelations have added layers of complexity and suspicion to the case.

Local MP Tom Clarke of Coatbridge, Chryston, and Bellshill voiced the community’s frustration, emphasizing the long wait for answers. He stated, “The community of Coatbridge has waited for half a century while the mystery of what actually happened to Moira Anderson remains unresolved. Many people in Coatbridge and beyond remain baffled by the mystery of Moira and find it unacceptable that as yet there has been no satisfactory outcome.” Clarke called for a definitive date for the exhumation, stressing the importance of closure for Moira’s family and the community.

A spokesperson for the Crown Office confirmed ongoing discussions with legal representatives regarding the exhumation, indicating that a specific date has yet to be finalized. The case continues to evoke strong emotions and demands for justice, as authorities seek to finally uncover the truth behind Moira Anderson’s disappearance and bring closure to a community long haunted by unanswered questions.