16-Year-Old Raped, Killed by Brother Five Months After She Was Raped by Another Man

Amber, age 16, was raped and strangled to death by her brother, Connor, five months after a man whom she trusted raped her while she slept on his sofa. A third man found Amber's body, sexually touched it, and then attempted to conceal it from the police.

Amber Gibson and her brother Connor grew up in foster care, although, unlike many children in the same situation, found love and happiness with a family called the Nivens. Amber and Connor argued and fought so much that the Nivens never left them alone together, afraid of what could happen. Despite the concerns, no one ever expected Connor would rape and murder his 16-year-old sister five months after another man raped her while she slept n his sofa. A man discovered Amber’s body sometime after the murder. Paul Corrigan did not notify authorities, but instead, he sexually touched the body and concealed it from view.

Craig and Carol Niven had raised Amber and Connor since they were 3 and 5 years old, respectively. Amber left the home at age 14 in 2019, although Connor stayed with the family until he aged out of foster care in 2020 and left the Nivens home. After leaving the Niven home, Amber relocated to the Hillhouse Children's Home.

Amber & Connor Separated

Amber and Connor spoke frequently despite no longer living in the same home together. Connor had moved into the Blue Triangle, a hostel for homeless youth. In June 2021, a 20-year-old man named Jamie Starrs raped Amber while she slept on his sofa. At the time of the assault, Starrs was on bond after another teenage girl accused him of rape.

On November 26, 2021, Connor and Amber argued during a phone conversation. Despite their argument, the siblings planned to hang out later that evening. Despite staff warning her against meeting Connor, Amber looked forward to the outing. She loved her brother and hoped for an exciting evening.

CCTV captured Connor and Amber walking together down a road in Hamilton. She messaged a friend at 9:51 p.m. and posted a selfie of her and Connor on social media. She captioned the photo, “My big bro.” That was the last time anyone heard from Amber.

Staff from the Hillhouse reported Amber missing when she failed to return home that evening.

Police found CCTV footage showing Connor walking back to the hostel alone later in the night. He was also captured on CCTV resting against a fence and disposing of bloodstained clothing.

Amber’s Body Found

On November 28, 2021, two days after she disappeared, Amber’s body was found in a woodland behind a park in Cadzow Glen covered with leaves and debris. She was naked, her panties tied tightly around her neck. Police later determined Amber had been raped, repeatedly struck on the head, and then strangled to death.

Authorities also learned that a man named Stephen Corrigan had sexually touched Amber’s body sometime after her murder. His fingerprints and DNA were found on 39 areas of Amber’s corpse, including her genitals, buttocks, and breasts.

Connor denied hurting his sister.

Staff at the Blue Triangle spoke to police, claiming Connor returned to the hostel “disheveled” and covered in dirt on the night he met up with Amber. He told them he and Amber had argued over “family problems.” He snuck out of the hostel later that evening. Police suspect this is when CCTV captured him burying the bloodstained clothes.

Connor was not immediately arrested. He posted a fake tribute on his social media:

“Amber, you will fly high for the rest of time. We will all miss you. Especially me. I love you ginger midget. GBFN (goodbye for now) x'.

Connor, Corrigan Arrested in Connection With Amber’s Murder

On December 1, 2021, police arrested Connor and charged him with the rape and murder of his sister. Corrigan was also arrested and charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice by sexually touching and concealing Amber’s body.

Corrigan could not explain how his fingerprints wound up on Amber’s body, although denied touching or concealing her corpse. He was convicted of the charges against him.

Connor adamantly denied hurting his sister, although mounds of evidence told a different story. He was convicted of rape and murder and is expected to receive a life sentence at his sentencing hearing later this year.

Jamie Starrs, Amber's first rapist, was also convicted of rape and sentenced to a 10-year prison term. He was also convicted of sexual assault against the other teenage girl who pressed charges before Amber.