Police are treating the death of 35-year-old Stacy Mair, found at a remote cottage in Renfrewshire, as murder. The death of a 43-year-old man discovered at the same scene is being treated as unexplained.
Discovery at Corsliehill Road
Emergency services found the bodies of Stacy Mair and the man at around 7.50am on Monday, 27 July 2026, in the Corsliehill Road area of Houston, Johnstone, after a report of concern for a person. Initially, Police Scotland said the deaths were unexplained, but later confirmed they believe Stacy may have been murdered. A post-mortem examination will establish the exact cause of death.
Police statement
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Death of 35-year-old Stacy Mair in Houston being treated as murder. Around 7.50am on Monday, 27 July, 2026, we received a report of concern for a person in the Corsliehill Road area of Houston. Emergency services attended, and the bodies of a woman and a man were found nearby. Following a post-mortem examination today, the death of 35-year-old Stacy Mair is being treated as murder."
The spokesperson added: "The death of the 43-year-old man continues to be treated as unexplained pending the results of a post-mortem examination, which will take place in due course. Detectives from Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team, as well as officers from the local policing division, continue to carry out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances. At this time, there is nothing to suggest anyone else is involved or any risk to the public."
Families supported
Detective Chief Inspector Laura Young, of the Major Investigation Team, said: "Our thoughts remain with the families of those affected by this incident. They are understandably devastated, and we are providing them with support through specialist officers at this incredibly difficult time."
Chief Inspector Iain Farmer said: "This is a deeply upsetting incident for the families involved, and the impact is felt right across the local community. I am grateful for the support we have received as we complete our essential enquires to ensure the families and local residents get the answers they need." He urged anyone with concerns or information to contact Police Scotland via 101.
Emergency response
Photos at the scene on Tuesday showed multiple police vehicles outside a property in Houston and a nearby road, with officers by the cottage and vans in an adjacent field. Corsliehill Road is a narrow rural lane surrounded by farmland and isolated properties. A police helicopter was also present on Monday.
The Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed it received a call at 8.33am and dispatched four special operations response teams, two ambulances and a critical care team. A spokesperson said: "We received a call at 08.33 to attend an incident on Barochan Road, Houston, Johnstone. Four special operations response teams (SORT), two ambulances and one critical care team were dispatched to the scene."
