Scottish law targets killers withholding victim body locations

Killers who do not reveal the location of their victims' bodies may now face a lifetime in prison without parole. Recent changes to Scottish law, supported by the SNP and Conservative parties, aim to provide justice for victims' families. The proposed law, known as "Suzanne's Law," is named after Suzanne Pilley, who was murdered in 2010, and whose body was never found. Her former lover, David Gilroy, is currently serving a life sentence for her murder. Justice Secretary Angela Constance acknowledged the pain families endure when they do not know where their loved ones are buried. Scottish Tory Jamie Greene, who introduced the amendment, welcomed the support for Suzanne's Law. He emphasized that dangerous criminals should not be released unless they disclose the location of their victims' remains. This law aims to ensure that the Parole Board considers this information when deciding on a prisoner's release. The Parole Board will now have the authority to keep prisoners incarcerated if they fail to share details about the disposal of victims' bodies. This change is intended to offer closure to families who have suffered prolonged grief without knowing where their loved ones are. Many families, including those of other murder victims, have expressed their support for the new law. They believe it represents a significant step forward in prioritizing the needs of victims in the Scottish justice system.