Police in fresh appeal to find pensioner’s murderer
POLICE investigating the murder of a pensioner have again appealed for information almost one year after his death.
Brian McKandie, 67, was attacked at his home in Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire, on March 11, 2016 and was found dead the following day.
As part of the ongoing investigation, officers have been revisiting customers and acquaintances of the self-employed mechanic and began searches of road verges.
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.
Detective Chief Inspector Iain Smith said: “We continue to actively investigate the death of Mr McKandie, with extensive inquiries being carried out not just in the Rothienorman area, but across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
“Next month will mark one year since Brian was found within his home, which means a whole year his family have had to deal with the fact he was taken from them in the most tragic of circumstances.
“They have lost a muchloved member of their family and want to know why.”
It was revealed in December that officers wanted to trace the author of an anonymous letter received in the weeks following the attack that provided some information regarding the death of Mr McKandie.
Police are also trying to trace a lone man who was seen walking near the pensioner’s Fairview Cottages home around the time and date of his death.
The man is described as about 6ft, of an average or medium-sized build, and was wearing dark clothing and possibly a hat.
He was walking towards the nearby village of Rothienorman around 1am on Saturday,March12.
Officers are also keen to trace a burgundy or maroon estate car and two people who were seen near Mr McKandie’s home.
One of the men is aged 40-50, of heavy build, with dark hair, while the other was thought to be about 20-30, thin with blond hair, possibly collar length.
Detectives believe Mr McKandie was killed with a “heavy weapon’’ and said the murderer’s clothes would have been blood-stained.
Crimestoppers has offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.