Riddle after pensioner’s body is found in a garden
Death of man, 86, ‘unexplained’
A MAJOR investigation was under way last night following the discovery of a pensioner’s body in a garden.
Officers found the 86-year-old in affluent Bearsden, near Glasgow, on Friday evening.
But police did not release the man’s name yesterday and refused to confirm whether they responded to reports of a gunshot in relation to the incident.
Officers were also reluctant to say if they are looking for anyone else in connection with the death, despite alarm in the community.
Forensic officers remained at the scene on Jackson Place last night, with a white tent seen in the back garden of the property.
Ambulance staff attempted to revive the pensioner following the discovery, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A police spokesman confirmed that a post-mortem examination had taken place and the death was being treated as ‘unexplained’.
A team of forensic officers were seen searching a nearby park and undergrowth yesterday morning close to the property. A large cordon surrounding the three-storey home and nearby streets was gradually decreased in size throughout the day.
Police said a report would be sent to the procurator fiscal’s office.
The incident resulted in a large police presence in the area with multiple police vehicles parked outside the property.
It is believed that the fivebedroom terraced home where the man was discovered was sold in August 2018 for around £385,000.
Residents in the normally peaceful area were left stunned. One woman who did not wish to be named, said: ‘We didn’t know the gentleman at all really.
‘I don’t think he has been living here long but it’s such a tragedy. Nothing like this ever happens here.
‘Its normally so quiet. There is maybe the occasional break-in but that’s it.’ A woman who lives close to the house said: ‘There are a lot of rumours going around about what happened.
‘The poor man. It’s such a sad time of year for this to happen as well.’
Another resident said: ‘When I got back on Friday night, I couldn’t get over the amount of police cars on the street and car park.
‘The police have barely moved all weekend and there are policemen in the neighbouring gardens too looking and taking photos.
‘On Saturday they were sifting through the nearby bushes and sealed off bins a whole street away too.
‘I didn’t know who lived in the house, but it’s a worry if anything sinister has happened to the poor guy.’
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Around 5.50pm on Friday, 3 January, 2020, the body of an 86-year-old man was discovered within a garden in Jackson Place, Bearsden.
‘A post-mortem examination has taken place and the cause of death is still being treated as unexplained at this time.
‘A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.’
‘It is such a tragedy’