The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Another Angus road closed in hunt for killer of Arbroath man.
MURDER: New road closure may be related to weapon used in brutal attack
The hunt for evidence to bring an Arbroath man’s brutal killers to justice intensified yesterday.
A further road closure was put in place on Egnomoss Road by murder squad detectives as the search area was extended.
The usually quiet road – which is a popular route for walkers – links the village of Westmuir up to the B951 Kirriemuir to Kirkton of Kinnordy Road and the Loch of Kinnordy nature reserve, where the body of Steven Donaldson was discovered a week ago.
Police would not confirm or deny speculation the closure is in relation to a search for the murder weapon which was used in last week’s attack.
The 27-year-old tool specialist was found in the car park of the reserve in Kirriemuir on Thursday June 7 having apparently been lured to his death.
Mr Donaldson left Arbroath for Kirriemuir at 10pm on Wednesday June 6 and his body was discovered the next morning at 5am by two walkers.
He was the victim of a sustained and brutal attack with a sharp, heavy weapon.
Police also remained on guard outside two properties in Kirriemuir.
It is understood two vehicles were also seized on Tuesday evening outside the town’s police station in Reform Street after being surrounded by officers. One eye witness said: “There were a lot of police going around at about 4pm.
“At one point one of the vehicles was surrounded by the police.
“There have also been further road closures.
“Everyone here is shocked by what has happened.”
Police vehicles were stationed at a number of strategic points in the town yesterday.
The two-mile stretch of the Kirriemuir to Kirkton of Kingoldrum Road running past the Loch of Kinnordy nature reserve, where Mr Donaldson’s body was found, also remains closed.
A no-fly zone is also in place in the area a week on from the murder.
It will remain in operation for as long as necessary.
Worried locals said the town is now resembling a major crime scene with ever-present police vehicles.
Police said inquiries are continuing into the murder but no arrests have yet been made. It also emerged yesterday that a damaged vehicle was recovered from the crime scene.
However, the man leading the investigation said he could not confirm whether or not the vehicle found was Mr Donaldson’s.
Detective Superintendent James Smith, of the major investigation team, said: “I can confirm there was a vehicle there that was damaged and we’re following a line of inquiry in relation to that vehicle.”
A former girlfriend of Mr Donaldson previously begged for information to help catch his killers.
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said someone in the town knows something and she wants them to push fear to one side and “put an end to this nightmare”.
Crimestoppers has also urged anyone scared to talk to the police to instead “do the right thing” and contact the charity anonymously.
gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk