Brother’s McKandie TV appeal

The brother of an Aberdeenshire pensioner murdered six months ago has made a heartfelt appeal for information.

Brian McKandie was beaten to death in a brutal attack at his home in Rothienorman on March 11. Officers have spoken to hundreds of people and undertaken one of the biggest forensic investigations in Police Scotland history but have yet to identify the culprit.

It was revealed earlier this month that DNA evidence has been found at the 67-year-old’s Fairview Cottages home but no arrests have been made.

The victim’s brother, Bill, made an appeal on BBC’s Crimewatch programme last night.

He said: “Somebody somewhere knows what happened. If they are going to keep the secret now, it’s easier to come forward and tell the police or you’ve got to the keep the secret forever.”

Bill spoke of his struggle to move on while waiting for justice for his brother’s murder, saying he “always thinks about what happened” every day.

Detective Chief Inspector Iain Smith said officers believe he was killed with a “heavy weapon” and both the weapon and clothes of the culprit or culprits would be bloodstained. He made a fresh appeal for information or CCTV footage of two men seen visiting Mr McKandie on the day of his death in a burgundy estate car.

One man was described as between 40 and 50 years old, a heavy build, with dark hair. Another younger man was between 20-30, thin, with collar-length blond hair.

Crimestoppers has offered a reward of up to £10,000. Anyone with information contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Brian McKandie