Interesting reading. I think the Police will have trawled all the finances. It is practically impossible to deposit or remove significant cash in banks without it being noted, and everyone has a trend in their banking: if someone was getting illicit money somewhere and not using their wages/income it would stand out, if they were they'd need to have some way of hiding the dodgy cash.
UK UK - Alistair Wilson, 30, murdered at home, Nairn, Scotland, 28 Nov 2004
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Interesting reading. I think the Police will have trawled all the finances. It is practically impossible to deposit or remove significant cash in banks without it being noted, and everyone has a trend in their banking: if someone was getting illicit money somewhere and not using their wages/income it would stand out, if they were they'd need to have some way of hiding the dodgy cash.
Pipsissiway_Potts
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This case has been rolling around in my brain for years. It's what has kept me awake at night, trying to put the pieces together and being able to do so. The case is so baffling because on the whole, nothing adds up. On face value, nothing makes sense to the point where I'm almost willing to believe Spring Heeled Jack was behind this as anybody. 
Here are some theories that I have heard or have just made up on the spot
1) AW committed suicide by assassination, by a friend, acquaintance, etc. in order to give his wife the ability to cash in on Life Insurance. If suicide was obvious, then I'm assuming there wouldn't be any pay out, so it had to be staged to look like a murder.
2) AW had a visitor, but it was a visitor that his wife had arranged to kill him. Perhaps for a payoff of Life Insurance, to cover their debts. There was no blue envelope, no leaving the man on the doorstep, etc. Just a nutty story meant to distract people's brains from what really happened.
3) AW had a visitor, but the person had a personal grudge or obsession with him. Something on the order of Elizabeth Barraza, murdered while setting up a garage sale. Walk up and try to hand the victim something, which directs the victim's mind on the object and away from their assassin.
4) It was a bizarre supernatural occurrence, and AW messed with a Fairy Mound, or meddled where he shouldn't have, such as finding a whistle on the beach or digging up bones, on the order of M.R. James, and the killer was one of the Fairy Folk, a Man in Black, Spring Heeled Jack, Angry Ghosts, etc.
5) AW had borrowed from the mob and was unable to pay it back, and so he promised to provide the combination to the safe, the key to the vault, etc., hence the small blue envelope in order to deposit it. Perhaps AW didn't recognize the man, but only realized who sent him (the mob boss) until it was too late.
6) AW had a visitor, someone who thought he was having an affair with, say, his wife, and the blue envelope contained incriminating evidence, such as a photograph, and the visitor threatened to expose AW unless he ceased and desisted. Perhaps AW denied the affair, which angered the visitor.
7) AW was going to expose his employer for laundering money, mismanaging people's money, etc., and the visitor was someone who was trying to persuade him otherwise before taking lethal action. Perhaps the blue envelope contained a check for a large sum, in other words, hush money.
If there's any other theory, please add to the list, or feel free to correct the ones I have here.
Here are some theories that I have heard or have just made up on the spot
1) AW committed suicide by assassination, by a friend, acquaintance, etc. in order to give his wife the ability to cash in on Life Insurance. If suicide was obvious, then I'm assuming there wouldn't be any pay out, so it had to be staged to look like a murder.
2) AW had a visitor, but it was a visitor that his wife had arranged to kill him. Perhaps for a payoff of Life Insurance, to cover their debts. There was no blue envelope, no leaving the man on the doorstep, etc. Just a nutty story meant to distract people's brains from what really happened.
3) AW had a visitor, but the person had a personal grudge or obsession with him. Something on the order of Elizabeth Barraza, murdered while setting up a garage sale. Walk up and try to hand the victim something, which directs the victim's mind on the object and away from their assassin.
4) It was a bizarre supernatural occurrence, and AW messed with a Fairy Mound, or meddled where he shouldn't have, such as finding a whistle on the beach or digging up bones, on the order of M.R. James, and the killer was one of the Fairy Folk, a Man in Black, Spring Heeled Jack, Angry Ghosts, etc.
5) AW had borrowed from the mob and was unable to pay it back, and so he promised to provide the combination to the safe, the key to the vault, etc., hence the small blue envelope in order to deposit it. Perhaps AW didn't recognize the man, but only realized who sent him (the mob boss) until it was too late.
6) AW had a visitor, someone who thought he was having an affair with, say, his wife, and the blue envelope contained incriminating evidence, such as a photograph, and the visitor threatened to expose AW unless he ceased and desisted. Perhaps AW denied the affair, which angered the visitor.
7) AW was going to expose his employer for laundering money, mismanaging people's money, etc., and the visitor was someone who was trying to persuade him otherwise before taking lethal action. Perhaps the blue envelope contained a check for a large sum, in other words, hush money.
If there's any other theory, please add to the list, or feel free to correct the ones I have here.
Markybug
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This case has been rolling around in my brain for years. It's what has kept me awake at night, trying to put the pieces together and being able to do so. The case is so baffling because on the whole, nothing adds up. On face value, nothing makes sense to the point where I'm almost willing to believe Spring Heeled Jack was behind this as anybody.
Here are some theories that I have heard or have just made up on the spot
1) AW committed suicide by assassination, by a friend, acquaintance, etc. in order to give his wife the ability to cash in on Life Insurance. If suicide was obvious, then I'm assuming there wouldn't be any pay out, so it had to be staged to look like a murder.
2) AW had a visitor, but it was a visitor that his wife had arranged to kill him. Perhaps for a payoff of Life Insurance, to cover their debts. There was no blue envelope, no leaving the man on the doorstep, etc. Just a nutty story meant to distract people's brains from what really happened.
3) AW had a visitor, but the person had a personal grudge or obsession with him. Something on the order of Elizabeth Barraza, murdered while setting up a garage sale. Walk up and try to hand the victim something, which directs the victim's mind on the object and away from their assassin.
4) It was a bizarre supernatural occurrence, and AW messed with a Fairy Mound, or meddled where he shouldn't have, such as finding a whistle on the beach or digging up bones, on the order of M.R. James, and the killer was one of the Fairy Folk, a Man in Black, Spring Heeled Jack, Angry Ghosts, etc.
5) AW had borrowed from the mob and was unable to pay it back, and so he promised to provide the combination to the safe, the key to the vault, etc., hence the small blue envelope in order to deposit it. Perhaps AW didn't recognize the man, but only realized who sent him (the mob boss) until it was too late.
6) AW had a visitor, someone who thought he was having an affair with, say, his wife, and the blue envelope contained incriminating evidence, such as a photograph, and the visitor threatened to expose AW unless he ceased and desisted. Perhaps AW denied the affair, which angered the visitor.
7) AW was going to expose his employer for laundering money, mismanaging people's money, etc., and the visitor was someone who was trying to persuade him otherwise before taking lethal action. Perhaps the blue envelope contained a check for a large sum, in other words, hush money.
If there's any other theory, please add to the list, or feel free to correct the ones I have here.
Interesting theories!
I can’t get over that his wife and child still live in the same house. She obviously knows there is no risk to her or her child somehow?
What’s the thoughts on the other AW in the town being the real target ??
Jambers, very good points. You sure have done your research. Are you local to Nairn or have you been following streetview?
Imo AW was the intended target, I don’t believe it was a case of mistaken identity. I keep going back to a short video (no voices) of him interacting with with son, it was only on for a few seconds but he seemed quite distant/worried as though he had things on his mind. It must have popped up during one of the articles I was reading.
Not local to Nairn but have spent quite some time there on holiday now and then so I know the lay of the land. Basically the killer had to use the main road to leave Nairn. They were seen walking 'away' from it (on Crescent Road) and so, the map shows which options they had to get to the main road (either around the town or double back behind the Pub opposite AWs house and up that way); drains not being uncommon if the killer was "looking" for a drain they had plenty options : it was also dark and you would not naturally go close the main road with weapon in hand when you would have passed other drains not too far back. They knew where they were going to dump the weapon I am sure. If they walked then the had to pass the Police/Fire Station, chip shop etc or, if in a car and they left the 'shortest' way they clearly were headed toward Inverness: they would then have to turn into that road, dump the weapon and then (presumably) turn round and head off. Easier (in a car) to dump the weapon 'en route' to the junction rather than leave the main road to do so.
Agreed. It is hard to draw conclusions from that clip (I recall seeing it, although a while ago) - not sure if it was a recent video to the murder? Thinking a bit more, on the matter of AWs wife remaining in the house. It's noted (and I tend to agree) AWs wife seems to be "holding back" in interviews to the TV/Radio; I actually think this might have something to do with her being careful NOT to say too much (no doubt at the behest of the Police) - I think (as mentioned before) AW must have related at least the subject the killer was talking about even if not too much detail/extensive detail.
Unless they were trying to stop information leaving the bank.
This is the only theory about the envelope that makes sense to me. It's the only one that explains why the killer would allow AW to go back into the house and show it to people before shooting him.
If he was allowed back in to collect something to put in the envelope, shooting him on his return only makes sense if AW actually did put something in the envelope. Otherwise, as has been said, the killer guarantees not getting what he is after. If indeed that was the purpose of the envelope.
"Paul" - and the colour of the envelope puzzles me.
If it was intended as a warning then where did AW fit in? Did the killer simply randomly choose someone - i.e. AW?
The "Plan" clearly didn't work since what was on the envelope wasn't known: there were no further incidents where such a name appeared in the media - the mastermind behind such an act would surely not stop there?
Alternative "Plan"
Go to door and say, "Hello I'm Paul, can I have a quick work with Alistair?" - Guaranteed to get the name "Paul" into the media - and you don't need to waste time with an envelope or waiting at the door, simply commit the act as soon as AW arrives.
(Suppose AW does not know any "Paul", there is surely still as much chance (if not more) of him coming to the door than returning with an envelope after you've confused him?)
Maybe the fact that there were no further incidents reported in the media means that the plan did work - and "Paul" got the message not to do/say what he was planning?
As the "Paul" info wasn't (to my knowledge) released for years, how would "Paul" have heard?
Markybug
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PressReader.com - Your favorite newspapers and magazines.
Interesting here as it states the blue envelope was A4 sized. Now i assumed it was a card sized envelope, which always struck me as too small for money etc. But this amateur sleuth reckons it could have been for paperwork / documents / money etc ? Which sounds more likely.
Interesting here as it states the blue envelope was A4 sized. Now i assumed it was a card sized envelope, which always struck me as too small for money etc. But this amateur sleuth reckons it could have been for paperwork / documents / money etc ? Which sounds more likely.
An invitation envelope?
Robot Check
A4 Invitation Envelopes (4 1/4 x 6 1/4) - Pastel Blue (50 Qty) | Perfect for Invitations, Announcements, Sending Cards, 4x6 Photos | SH4872-01-50
Coincidentally, there is such a thing as PAUL Klee envelopes, he was a German artist (thinking of the German gun used in the crime)
The Bauhaus Group
Paul klee envelopes | Etsy
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First time I've noted the A4 size! I think (The Herald) mentioned the envelope at the time, but not the size as I recall. Interestingly the article neatly sums up the 'mystery' of this case: essentially "A Bloke with a baseball cap" turned up at the door (no E-Fit ever released) - a description fitting literally 'anyone' (Or at least an awful lot of males) - essentially a pretty useless suspect description.
More Questions:
*What was the substance of Alistair and His Wife's conversation? No comment from the Police.
* Why would Alistair go back "Just to check" if the guy was still there? Why think he would be?
On the face of it, the Killer was wanting something from Alistair. Since the envelope was not recovered we've no way of knowing
whether or not anything was placed in the envelope (2 minutes is a not insignificant time to have a second chat with someone: a killer would surely not want to spend a second longer than necessary at the scene of the crime (they're about to commit) for all sorts of reasons: when was the decision to shoot taken?
Whatever the reason, there simply isn't enough information to work with - the Police 'requests for information' seem odd (let's face it no new information - what do they think people are going to tell them?)
Taskforce88
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No photofit, description, and did she mention the man's accent?
She went and got her husband without asking for the man's name or what he wanted.
And despite seeing the gunman and talking to him she continued to live in the house where her husband was gunned down, walking over the spot where he died everyday. The wife obviously felt safe enough.
A lot of focus is on the blue envelope and Paul. Perhaps the envelope didn't exist?
Very strange case.
LONG READ: 15 years of twists and turns but no arrest, motive or suspect in the Alistair Wilson murder case | Press and Journal
Interesting that here it doesn't mention the size and the Police holding a 'similar' (smaller) envelope!
Elainera
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If there's any other theory, please add to the list, or feel free to correct the ones I have here.
I'll give it a try
I think it's possible the Wilsons were being blackmailed. For what I have no clue. Maybe only Alistair was but he had confided in his wife. They both decided not to pay any more. On the night of his death the man came to collect money. Alistair took the envelope and went to his wife saying "They want more money." "No. Enough is enough. Tell him we won't give him anything anymore." So he goes back down to tell the visitor that he won't comply with their demands anymore. Worried that AW might tell someone or even contact police the guy shoots him.
I think the shooter is a local petty criminal who found something out about AW that was bad enough that he could exploit it. I think the envelope was just an envelope lying around at his home and he grabbed it on his way out. Maybe he himself or one of his relatives is called Paul and recently had a birthday. A small sized envelope was large enough for the sum he asked for, for example 1000 Pounds.
The murder wasn't planned - the guy expected to be paid as he had been before. He took the gun because it made him feel more powerful and safe. He panicked when AW refused him.
Moo.
The whole case is very mysterious and no theory feels like a really good fit, mine included. I agree with others that his wife and LE likely know more but are holding back.
I'll give it a try
I think it's possible the Wilsons were being blackmailed. For what I have no clue. Maybe only Alistair was but he had confided in his wife. They both decided not to pay any more. On the night of his death the man came to collect money. Alistair took the envelope and went to his wife saying "They want more money." "No. Enough is enough. Tell him we won't give him anything anymore." So he goes back down to tell the visitor that he won't comply with their demands anymore. Worried that AW might tell someone or even contact police the guy shoots him.
I think the shooter is a local petty criminal who found something out about AW that was bad enough that he could exploit it. I think the envelope was just an envelope lying around at his home and he grabbed it on his way out. Maybe he himself or one of his relatives is called Paul and recently had a birthday. A small sized envelope was large enough for the sum he asked for, for example 1000 Pounds.
The murder wasn't planned - the guy expected to be paid as he had been before. He took the gun because it made him feel more powerful and safe. He panicked when AW refused him.
Moo.
The whole case is very mysterious and no theory feels like a really good fit, mine included. I agree with others that his wife and LE likely know more but are holding back.
Your theory makes sense, someone threatening to expose something that would be detrimental to, or embarrassing for BOTH of the Wilsons.
Although, i do think the name Paul is of some significance, if only for the killer.
imo, speculation.