Elizabeth Peterson, a 64-year-old woman also known as Liz Sutherland, had recently embarked on a new chapter in her life, moving from Scotland to Birmingham, Alabama. This new beginning was tragically cut short on the night of Saturday, December 15, 2018. She was found shot to death in the Southside area of the city, at an apartment complex on 17th Avenue South.
Originally from Port Glasgow, Elizabeth, or Liz as she was known to friends, had moved to the United States for a new life with
her American husband. It is believed they were estranged, and she had moved into the apartment just a few weeks before her death. She was employed at the Children of Alabama medical center and was pursuing a degree in social work.
On that fatal evening, residents of the apartment complex reported hearing a verbal argument involving Elizabeth and an unknown person, which was followed by the sound of gunshots. When officers from the Birmingham Police Department arrived at the scene, they discovered Elizabeth unresponsive next to her car, suffering from gunshot wounds. Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel pronounced her deceased at the scene. It was later revealed by her niece that she had been shot twice at point-blank range in the chest and head.
The initial investigation into her death has not pointed to robbery as a motive, as none of her belongings were taken. Despite the police pursuing various leads, the case has remained unsolved. The Birmingham Police Department has made public appeals for assistance, urging anyone with information to come forward. As of now, no arrests have been made, and there are no publicly identified suspects in her murder.
