Murder hunt after dad-of-four dies
Tributes have been paid to a West Lothian dad-of-four found dead in Lanarkshire.
The battered body of Malcolm McLaren, originally from Whitburn, was discovered in a flat in Airdrie’s Clark Street last Thursday morning.
Police have now launched a murder investigation to try and track the 40-year-old’s killer.
Friends and family took to social media to pay their respects to Malcolm following the incident.
One family member wrote: “His life has been taken away from him and he has been taken away from us and his children.
“We cannot believe we are actually having to do and say this and we are all struggling with coming to terms that he is gone.
“I urge anyone on here that may have heard from Malcolm this week or even anyone in the area from Wednesday/ Thursday this week that may know/seen anything that could help us get justice for this awful, disgusting act which has taken Malcolm away from us all to contact Police Scotland.”
Malcolm tragically leaves behind three teenage sons he had with a former partner, and who now live in Cornwall.
He also has a three-year-old son with another partner, who he split from last year and just days before his death, Malcolm shared pictures of his beloved boys on Facebook, writing: “Love you all. They’re the main reason why I’m still bouncing around.”
Malcolm had lived in North Lanarkshire for several years before his death.
His former neighbour Helen Traynor, 57, revealed her distress upon hearing of Malcolm’s murder.
She said: “He was a true family man and his boys will be absolutely devastated by his death.”
The former baker and security guard was last seen alive in Airdrie town centre last Wednesday afternoon.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Livingstone said: “Extensive inquiries have been ongoing with specialist officers and forensics teams conducting examinations at the scene.
“We are working to establish a motive for this murder and we are in the process of piecing together Mr McLaren’s movements in the days leading up to his death.
“Inquiries have revealed he was in Airdrie town centre around 3pm on Wednesday before making his way home to Clark Street.
“It’s important we establish his movements from then on, where he went, who he saw, who he met.
“If anyone has any information please do get in touch by calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”