Mystery surrounds death of OAP found badly hurt

Neighbours left shocked at death of 66-year-old

The death of a Dunfermline pensioner found injured outside her home yesterday morning is being treated as “unexplained”, police say.

Officers were called to the town’s Izatt Avenue after neighbours discovered 66-year-old Margaret Campbell wounded in her back garden yesterday morning.

Despite being taken for treatment at Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital, Mrs Campbell died of her injuries and police have launched an investigation into her death.

Detective Inspector Paul Dick said: “We are investigating after a woman found injured in a garden in Dunfermline on Monday morning later died in hospital.

“The woman in her sixties was found outside a property on Izatt Avenue just after 8am. She was taken to the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy where she sadly passed away.

“Her death is being treated as unexplained and officers are carrying out inquiries in the local area to establish the circumstances.

“A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”

A huge police response descended on the St Leonard’s area of the town as a major investigation was launched into the fatality, which has left members of the community shocked.

A solitary officer was stationed outside the terraced property throughout the morning as police continued their work at the back of the address, where Mrs Campbell was discovered.

It is understood next door neighbours had spotted her in the garden before calling the emergency services.

Police are yet to reveal any further details surrounding the incident.

However, any medical explanation for Mrs Campbell’s injuries was ruled out by officers at an early stage, The Courier understands.

Neighbour Jennifer Turnbull said she had just woken up when she noticed a flurry of activity outside.

“There were police everywhere,” she said. “That would have been about the back of 7am.

“Margaret, or ‘Peggy’ as she is known, must have been here for about 30 years.

“It is hard to think that anybody would want to do anything harmful to her.”

Adding that officers had been conducting door-to-door inquiries throughout the day, she added: “I’ve never had any bother while living here. It is a very quiet street.

“The police asked if I had seen anything untoward but it is always quiet here.”

Pictures: Gareth Jennings. Above and below: police outside the house in Izatt Avenue, Dunfermline, after Margaret “Peggy” Campbell was found badly injured in her back garden. She later died in hospital.