The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Police probe death of man found in city garden
Injured man dies in hospital two days after being discovered
Police are investigating the unexplained death of a man who was found injured in a garden on a Dundee road.
John Mottram, 50, was discovered in a rear garden of Dens Road in the early hours of Wednesday July 26.
He was taken to Ninewells Hospital with injuries, where he died on Friday.
Detective Inspector Brian Geddes said: “We have been conducting a number of inquiries in the local community as we try to establish the full circumstances surrounding John’s death.
“Specialist officers, including forensic officers, have been involved in the investigation so far and will continue to be in the area over the next few days.
“I’d like to thank the community for their patience while these inquiries continue and would appeal for anyone with any information to contact us,” added DI Geddes.
Tributes have poured in for Mr Mottram, who lost a leg several years ago and struggled with housing issues.
Mr Mottram was a regular at the Eagle Wings Trust.
Trust manager Mike Cordiner said: “It was devastating news to get. John was known and loved by everyone at the organisation.
“We were told he had fallen and was in intensive care. Then we were told that he had passed away – it was heartbreaking.
“He was such a well known guy and we are really going to miss him.
“He would always come down to the soup kitchen. He hadn’t come down much lately but he was still a familiar face.
“He would come down to the drop-ins too, because there was wheelchair access.”
Neighbours said they had seen a high police presence in the Dens Road area over the past week.
Amir Rafiee, 50, an accountant, said: “I saw various police vans and cars coming and going.
“I didn’t know what had happened and they said they were making inquiries.
“At one point they were talking to someone at 2.30 in the morning. I was a bit confused as to what was happening.”
Anyone with information can speak to a local officer or phone Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 0248 of July 26.