Man jailed for 1978 murder of ex-wife dies in prison

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 18:13 · Archive

Christopher Harrisson, 85, who was convicted in 2023 of murdering his ex-wife Brenda Page in Aberdeen in 1978, has died in prison.

Christopher Harrisson, 85, has died in HMP Grampian, where he was serving a life sentence with a minimum of 20 years. The Scottish Prison Service confirmed his death on Saturday, 3 October.

Harrisson was found guilty in March 2023 of murdering Brenda Page, a 32-year-old genetics expert at Aberdeen University, in her home on 14 July 1978. Judge Lord Richardson said the attack was 'premeditated', 'sustained and vicious', and that Harrisson had struck Dr Page at least 20 times to the face and head with a blunt instrument. Harrisson and Dr Page had been married in 1972 but divorced in 1976, after which they maintained sporadic contact.

Harrisson was identified as the prime suspect from the outset and arrested on the day Dr Page's body was found, but was released due to insufficient evidence. The case was reinvestigated from 2015, with witnesses re-interviewed and DNA analysis carried out by forensic organisations. He was arrested again in February 2020 and subsequently convicted by majority verdict. Throughout, Harrisson had denied the murder. He showed no emotion when the verdict was read out.

How it is being reported

• Man jailed for 1970s murder of his scientist ex-wife diesChristopher Harrisson, 85, escaped justice for killing Brenda Page for 45 years but was found guilty in 2023.BBC North East Orkney And Shetland · 8 Oct, 17:58
• Evil brute who murdered ex-wife Brenda Page in Aberdeen dies in jailOfficials have confirmed the death of Christopher 'Kit' Harrisson, who had been sentenced to life with a minimum period of 20 years.Press and Journal · 8 Oct, 16:00

In this story: Christopher Harrisson · Brenda Page · Aberdeen · HMP Grampian · Scottish Prison Service

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