Police probe after 97-year-old Fife woman found dead in home

Forensic experts scouring bungalow of pensioner and inquiries being held in Kinglassie in bid to establish cause of death

Detectives are probing the death of a 97-year-old woman who was found dead at her home in a Fife village.

Police said they were treating the death of Kinglassie pensioner Annie Temple, who was also known as Nan, as unexplained.

Neighbours said there had been a heavy police presence in the area since last week.

Forensic specialists have been scouring Ms Temple’s bungalow in West End for evidence.

Plain clothes officers have also been seen at the scene.

Officers could be seen carrying out door-to-door inquiries yesterday afternoon.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s a shame at that age for something to go wrong at the end. I just hope nothing has gone wrong. But police are going door-to-door so there’s obviously something.”

The neighbour said Ms Temple, who is understood to have lived alone in the property, was “a nice old lady” who had lived independently until a few months ago.

He said: “There have been health visitors and meals on wheels, and all sorts of people, going in over the last three to four months.

“She was a very independent lady before. If you tried to do anything for her she would say ‘I can do it myself’. “She was a nice old lady.

“I’ve lived here for 30 years and she certainly lived here before that.

“She was from the Newcastle area and even though she’d been here for years she still spoke with a Newcastle accent.”

Police said officers went to the cottage last Friday after concerns were raised about Ms Temple, and her body was found inside the property.

People living nearby reported seeing police activity in the street from Wednesday last week.

Local business people said police had been asking to see footage from their CCTV cameras.

One shift worker said he had seen police cars parked in the streets overnight.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said two investigations were under way in the area. “A 35- year-old man was arrested in connection with an assault in the West End area of Kinglassie, Fife, on Saturday 3 November. He was later released pending further inquiries.

“A 97-year-old woman was found dead in Kinglassie, Fife, around 11.10am on Friday, 25 October. Her death is being treated as unexplained pending further inquiries.

“The man has not been arrested in connection with the death.”

Pictures: Steve Brown. Police officers carried out door-to-door inquiries.