Attacked tourist dies months later

I have been sitting on this dreadful story since the summer, as I couldn't really bear to put it out. But the final outcome pulled me over the line.

Back in July, an American tourist from White River Junction, Vermont (USA) was attacked whilst walking the Great Glen Way south of Inverness.

Marty Layman-Mendonca, 57, was on her way back into the city when she was attacked. She was on her third visit to Scotland and considered it "the most welcoming place on earth". Ms Layman-Mendonca, a committed Christian, was dropped off by a friend at Blackfold at about 1130 BST on the day of the attack. She said she could walk the last six miles of the Great Glen Way.

34 year old Colin Ross from Inverness was walking in the same area that morning. He told police that after their paths crossed he "became enraged" and decided to attack her. The court heard how Ross, who attacked a female German tourist in 2004, followed his victim for 10 yards, engaged her in conversation and then "went into a frenzy".

He repeatedly hit her on the head with a metal pipe and a boulder before stealing the rucksack from her back and rifling through the pockets of her walking shorts for cash. Ross then tied Ms Layman-Mendonca's wrists with shoelaces, leaving her unconscious and bleeding heavily. The woman was found in a ditch beside the track by a police officer with a dog.

She was taken to Raigmore Hospital, where she remained in a coma for weeks. In September, church goers from Inverness and White River Junction combined funds to enable Mrs Layman-Medonca to be transferred to a hospital in Vermont, to be nearer her family.

She never regained consciousness, and passed away earlier today.

I am deeply saddened that Marty came to Scotland, a place she loved for its natural beauty and great hospitality of its people. Only to lose her life at the hands of a man, known to be a danger to women.

Marty was a tough woman from a tough background, who had worked hard for herself and her daughter. She was an avid hiker who had climbed many peaks in the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

I dedicate this entry to her memory.