A major police investigation is under way after the body of a female dog walker was found at an Aberdeen beauty spot.
The woman, who was in her 50s, was pulled from an icy burn at Maidencraig Nature Reserve near Hazlehead yesterday morning. Her collie was still by her side when police arrived.
Detectives are trying to establish how she ended up in the water and last night described the death as “unexplained”.
Officers appealed for witnesses, in particular anyone who saw the woman wearing a bright orange top and walking with her black dog in the early hours of yesterday.
The victim is understood to have lived just minutes from the nature reserve and was a familiar face in the neighbourhood, particularly among other pet owners.
A wide section of open ground was taped off by police yesterday, with an underwater search crew and a forensics team dispatched to the scene. A blue police tent on the grassland marked the area where the woman was found.
It is known that she died within 24 hours of being discovered by a fellow dog walker around 11am yesterday.
One woman whose house overlooks the scene said: “I could see a dog walker on her phone and a person in a woolly hat down at the burn. I couldn’t make out if it was a man or a woman. It has been very icy down there and quite dangerous.”
Formal identification of the body is due to take place today.
It is known that the woman lived in warden- assisted accommodation in Sheddocksley.
Neighbours described her as a quiet, polite and private person who was often seen out with her dog.
She lived on her own, but is understood to have had children and grandchildren.
Neighbour Jacqueline Black, 51, said: “She was a quiet woman but she would always say hello when we were out walking. I would always see her going to the shops at Sheddocksley and we would have a chat but I have never known her to be down at the reserve before.”
Another neighbour added: “We would say hello to each other but she very much kept herself to herself.”
Detective Chief Inspector David Hadden said: “We are dealing with an unexplained death. There are certain procedures to go through in case there is evidence to be retained from the scene.”
Local councillor and resident Martin Greig said his sympathies were with the woman’s family and friends.
“This is an extremely shocking incident,” he added.
“The local community will be greatly alarmed by this terrible news. Hopefully, the police will be able to explain what has happened without delay.”