Horror at beauty spot as oil worker is murdered
‘Sharp, heavy weapon’ used in savage attack on victim, 27
POLICE launched a murder probe after an oil worker was found dead following a ‘sustained and brutal’ attack at a nature reserve.
Steven Donaldson, 27, was discovered by two horrified passers-by at 5am on Thursday in the car park close to the Loch of Kinnordy in Kirriemuir, Angus.
Detectives set up an exclusion area, with all points of access to Kinnordy Nature Reserve cordoned off, while officers conducted forensic searches of the car park and the access road. They also set up a no-fly zone over the area to prevent anyone using drones.
Mr Donaldson was last seen at 10pm on Wednesday. His death is being treated as murder following a post-mortem examination.
Last night, police appealed for help to catch his killers. Detective Superintendent James Smith, senior investigating officer in the case, said: ‘He was the victim of a sustained and brutal attack and we really need to find the people responsible.
‘There was a sharp heavy weapon involved in the attack. If anyone comes across such an item in the vicinity, come forward and tell us.
‘I would like to say our thoughts are with Steven’s family and friends. They are currently being supported by specialist officers during this very difficult time.’ He added: ‘We were alerted to reports that the body of man had been found in the car park of Kinnordy Nature Reserve in the early hours of Thursday morning.
‘Officers are reviewing CCTV footage and carrying out houseto-house inquiries.
‘Steven’s attacker or attackers must be traced as a matter of urgency and I urge the public to assist me with this investigation, to find who was responsible. Officers have been speaking to motorists and members of the public on the B951 Kirriemuir to Kirkton of Kingoldrum road in an effort to establish if they had witnessed anything suspicious.’
Police believe Mr Donaldson travelled from Arbroath to Kirriemuir during the evening of Wednesday, June 6, in his white BMW with a private registration S73 VED. They want to speak to anyone who saw his car.
Chief Inspector David McIntosh, local area commander for Angus, said: ‘This incident will undoubtedly shock the local community of Kirriemuir and wider area but I want to assure the public that crimes of this nature are very rare in Angus and everything is being done to find out who was responsible for the death of Steven.’