Scottish Man Convicted of Murdering Kenyan Wife in Lanarkshire

A Scottish man has been convicted of murdering his Kenyan wife following a domestic dispute rooted in allegations of infidelity.

Walter Buchanan, a 66-year-old chartered surveyor, was found guilty on January 22, 2025, at the High Court in Glasgow for the death of his 37-year-old wife, Darrel Buchanan. The tragic incident occurred at their upscale apartment near Hamilton Racecourse in Lanarkshire in February 2023.
The confrontation reportedly began when Darrel, who hailed from Kenya, accused Buchanan of cheating on her.

Throughout the trial, Buchanan maintained his innocence, claiming that his actions were an act of self-defence. However, the jury reached a guilty verdict after reviewing substantial evidence of the abuse Darrel had endured during their unstable marriage. The court was informed that the couple met during a holiday in Thailand in 2015 and subsequently married two years later. Darrel had disclosed her experiences of domestic abuse to neighbours John and Violet Fisher.

Violet Fisher, 82, testified that Darrel had informed her that Buchanan had taken her passport and subjected her to physical violence behind closed doors. On the night leading up to the murder, Buchanan had spent time with friends in Bothwell, which reportedly caused tension between the couple. Messages from Darrel, including a text that read, "I guess you are having fun in Bothwell without your wife, cheater," reflected her frustrations.

Upon Buchanan’s return home, an argument ensued as Darrel reiterated her suspicions regarding his fidelity. During the trial, Buchanan acknowledged that he had grabbed Darrel by the neck, resulting in bruising and compression injuries that ultimately caused her death. He contended that the incident was unintentional and claimed he only realized the severity of the situation upon waking the next morning to find Darrel unresponsive.

Emergency responders were called to the scene; however, Darrel was pronounced dead with significant injuries, including neck compression, a brain injury, bruising, and a rib fracture. Following the verdict, Judge Lord Cubie described the incident as a "tragic day," highlighting the profound impact on Darrel’s family.

He noted, "The person who took her life was you, her husband, who should have protected and cared for her." While sentencing has been deferred for additional reports, Buchanan is likely to face a lengthy prison sentence.