Stacy Mair, 35, was found dead at a remote cottage in Renfrewshire by emergency services after reports of concern for a person on Monday morning – police are now treating it as murder
Police are treating the death of a woman found in a remote cottage as murder, while the death of a man at the scene is being treated as “unexplained”.
The body of 35-year-old Stacy Mair and a 43-year-old man were discovered by emergency services at Corsliehill Road in Houston, Johnstone on Monday morning, July 27, following reports of a concern for a person.
Police Scotland initially said the deaths were being treated as unexplained, but they have now confirmed they believe Stacy may have been murdered. A post-mortem will be carried out to establish the exact cause of death in due course.
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 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.”
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.”
“Anyone with concerns or information can contact Police Scotland via 101.”
Photos taken by the Record at the scene on Tuesday show multiple police vehicles parked outside a property in Houston and a nearby road. Officers can be seen by the cottage where vans are also stationed in an adjacent field as well as scouring nearby woodland.
The home sits on the main road, with another similar style of property situated just a few hundred yards away.
Corsliehill Road is a narrow rural lane surrounded by farmland and a handful of isolated properties, with little passing traffic. Reports suggest a significant emergency services response was seen in the area with a police helicopter also present on Monday.
The Scottish Ambulance Service has confirmed it received a call at 8.33am and sent four special operations response teams, two ambulances and a critical care team to the scene. A Scottish Ambulance Service 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.”
