Tributes after flat deaths
Residents in shock after watching suspected killer leap to his death
FAMILY tributes have been paid to a man and woman who were killed in an apparent double murder before the suspected killer leapt to his death from a tower block.
The bodies of Keith Taylor, 43, and Tracy Gabriel, 40, were found following an incident at a block of flats in Aberdeen on Tuesday evening. Their deaths are being treated as murder.
Another man, named locally as Hugh Gallacher, jumped from the balcony of the building shortly after 8pm.
Ms Gabriel is thought to have had four children, while her neighbour Mr Taylor, who had previously worked in the oil and gas sector in Holland, had married his wife three years ago.
Ms Gabriel’s family said in a statement: “Tracy was a muchloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt and cousin. Born in Aberdeen, Tracy spent most of her younger years in the Alford and Huntly areas.
“She then moved to Aberdeen whilst in her 20s and latterly lived in the Tillydrone area. She was well-known in the community and well-liked by her friends and family. She will be sadly missed.”
Mr Taylor’s family said: “Keith was a happy-go-lucky lad. He had a great sense of humour and was always laughing and joking. His dad taught him to scuba dive and they enjoyed many diving trips in and around the Moray coast.
“Keith met his wife when he worked in Holland in the oil and gas sector. They then moved to Aberdeen and got married in 2013. He was a loving husband and was devoted to his mum and dad plus his older brother.”
Emergency services were called to Donside Court, a 19-storey block in Tillydrone on Tuesday evening. Neighbours said they contacted 999 when they heard a woman shouting and screaming for help.
Witnesses described seeing a man – named locally as Mr Gallacher – fall to his death from a 12th-floor balcony shortly after police arrived. The bodies of Ms Gabriel and Mr Taylor were found in a flat in the high-rise.
It is understood all three were known to each other and officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.
The case will be reviewed by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) because officers were in attendance when the second man died.
Tillydrone Labour councillor Ross Grant said several residents who saw Mr Gallacher falling from the 12th floor had been struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
He said: “Tillydrone is a community in deep shock in light of the horrific incident which was witnessed by many nearby residents and families out enjoying the last of the summer sunshine.
“It is a close-knit community, everybody knows everybody and residents love staying here. It is that then that makes an incident like this all the more upsetting.
“Many residents have had trouble sleeping, and are dealing with vivid memories of what they saw and heard. But it is that same closeness in the area that will help residents come to terms with the circumstances and move forward. My thoughts are very much with the loved ones of those caught up in this horrific incident.”
A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal concerning the three deaths.