Fears amid murder hunt
Killing is the latest in a list of unexplained events
RESIDENTS of a scattered community are locking their doors and telling children not to answer them as police hunt a handyman’s killer.
Police are appealing for information about the death of pensioner Brian McKandie, described as a “real gentleman” who would do anything to help people.
His body was found at his isolated home four miles from the village of Rothienorman in Aberdeenshire on March 12. A murder inquiry was launched on Friday.
The murder of Mr McKandie, 67, who was known locally as a “Mr Fixit” and would frequently help out with other residents’ work that needed doing, has shocked villagers and his near neighbours.
He lived in the Badenscoth area of the community, which contains just a handful of shops and is surrounded by rolling farmland.
“I live just across the fields from where Brian lived. I didn’t know him but it’s all pretty scary,” said Wendy Harper who runs the Steadin’ Bistro in Rothienorman.
Neighbour John Simpson, who lives with his wife and two small children on a lonely crossroads just half a mile from Mr McKandie’s home, said the family were taking sensible precautions in the wake of the murder.
He said: “You don’t expect this sort of thing on your doorstep. We are taking extra precautions, making doubly sure the doors and windows are locked.
“Usually the children run to the door if the door bell goes, but we’re just telling them to stay where they are and we’ll answer it.”
The murder is just the latest in a series of unexplained events around the village of Rothienorman over the past month, according to shopkeeper Louie Ettles.
“The police were out with torches looking for someone or something not long ago. Then there were people whose doors were being tried by someone and a lassie whose car was stolen as she lay asleep on the sofa. They came in and took the keys. The village has changed a lot in 25 years.”
Customers had told Mr Ettles they were concerned how the unexplained death of Mr McKandie a week ago had now escalated to a full-blown murder inquiry.
Judith Munro, manager of the Badenscoth nursing home, had known Mr McKandie for 32 years.
She said: “He was a real gentleman, very helpful and would always give you a wave. He was a hard worker, kept a good garden and he could fix all sorts. If no-one else could fix it, you knew Brian would and he did. It’s been a great shock.”
Locals have speculated that the death of a man who did not go to pubs or local events and kept himself very much to himself could have been a robbery gone wrong.
One said: “You read about these cases of elderly folk living alone and some drunk or druggie get it into their head there’s a stash of cash under the mattress and one thing leads to another.”
Police appealed for anyone who saw Mr McKandie between lunchtime on March 11 and the following afternoon to contact them.
Detective Chief Inspector Iain Smith said: “We are keen to trace anyone who knows Mr McKandie, who may have seen him that weekend or has any information about what happened to him.”