Conner Cowper was just 18 when he was murdered in cold blood during a house party in Holytown, Lanarkshire, by teenage killer Jolene Doherty who stabbed him without warning
it was your typical teenage party, alcohol was flowing, the music was loud, and the mood was upbeat – until tragedy struck.
Jolene Doherty, intoxicated by a mix of alcohol and narcotics, thrust a kitchen blade into the neck of Conner Cowper, a lad she hardly knew, ending his life in a heartbeat. At just 18 years old, Conner fell victim to a brutal slaying amidst a party in a Holytown, Lanarkshire flat, in the early hours of April 28, 2018.
He had no warning, no opportunity for self-defence and was oblivious to the fact that he was about to encounter one of Scotland’s youngest female murderers, reports the Daily Record.
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Eyewitnesses recounted the mayhem. There was no quarrel, no tussle, merely an abrupt surge of aggression from a girl who appeared tranquil one second and a killer the next.
Doherty, who was heavily pregnant with child at the time, had been drinking and snorting cocaine prior to her arrival at the gathering. She was reportedly in an unstable state, seeking out conflict. Conner, who had been mingling and enjoying the festivities, supposedly made a casual remark that ruffled her feathers.
In court, it emerged he may have dubbed her a “stupid wee girl” and that that single comment triggered the onslaught. In a flash, Doherty grabbed a kitchen knife, approached the young man, and plunged it into his neck with such ferocity that it severed an artery and penetrated his spine.
Despite paramedics’ efforts, Conner’s life was beyond saving. He was declared dead at the scene, a young life extinguished by a single, catastrophic strike. Doherty was apprehended shortly after and charged with murder.
During her trial at Glasgow High Court, the jury heard how she had transformed from an “out-of-control” teenager to a murderer in less time than it takes to finish a drink. Throughout the proceedings, she displayed little emotion, but the savagery of the attack shocked everyone in the courtroom.
Doherty hadn’t set out to the party with violent intentions, but when a confrontation arose, she responded with ruthless aggression. Her pregnancy, which might have held others back, did nothing to quell her fury or prevent her from lethally attacking someone who was no genuine threat to her.
The incident wasn’t sparked by gang rivalry or a longstanding animosity; it was a hasty choice, a lethal blade, and a stark lack of regret. Adding to the heartbreak is the sheer randomness of the act. Conner was oblivious to her identity.
Their interaction had been minimal. He was merely a teenager enjoying his evening, who tragically encountered the wrong individual at the worst possible moment.
The judge characterised it as a “deliberate, brutal, unprovoked and entirely murderous assault.” Doherty, who initially denied the charge, changed her plea to guilty and received a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years.
The case reignited concerns about youth violence, knife crime, and the devastating effects of alcohol and drugs on Scotland’s youth. Doherty didn’t fit the mould of a knife-wielding thug. She wasn’t part of a gang.
She didn’t have a lengthy criminal record. But she did possess a temper, a sense of entitlement, and no hesitation in wielding a blade.
Conner’s family were left devastated. His mother, Linda Fraser, described her son as “polite, kind and respectful, a boy with a big heart who wanted to work with animals”. She now maintains his bedroom just as he left it, with the scent of his aftershave still present and his favourite trainers neatly tucked under the bed.
The agony of losing him hasn’t diminished. If anything, it has solidified into anger. She candidly spoke out following the sentencing, highlighting the escalating issue of knife crime and its devastating impact on families.
“Too many people think it’s normal to carry a knife. Kids think they can take a life and move on. But we’re the ones who have to live with what they’ve done,” she expressed.
Her concerns are well-founded as knife crime among under-18s has seen a worrying increase in recent years. Teens are increasingly likely to arm themselves, experts have found, often under the misguided belief that it elevates their status or ensures their safety.
In this instance, the attack was unanticipated and came from an individual not previously regarded as a significant threat.
The sorrow of his family is deepened by the realisation that Doherty will eventually be free again.
In stark contrast, Conner will never return home, never embrace his mum, never share laughter with friends. His life was snatched away in mere seconds and the sentence given – though harsh for someone so young – can never bring back what’s been lost.
Doherty will serve a minimum of 16 years in prison before she can even be considered for parole. By that time, she will be in her 30s, older than Conner ever had the opportunity to become.
