The family of a woman who died after being set on fire in Dyce have said she was “deeply loved”.
Jill Barclay’s body was found in the early hours of Saturday.
A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the 47-year-old’s murder.
Police said that inquiries will be ongoing for some time in the area to establish the full circumstances of what happened.
Mrs Barclay’s family paid tribute to her, and said in a statement: “Jill was a deeply loved life partner, mother and daughter. We would now appreciate being left in peace to grieve privately.”
Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick of the major investigation team, added: “Our thoughts are very much with Jill’s family and friends at what is a very difficult time for them.
“We have a dedicated team of officers in the area working on this investigation and I would like to reassure the community that they can speak to them if they have any concerns.
“I am appealing to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area who has not already spoken to officers to get in touch.”
Alarm raised at 3.30am on Saturday
Police and firefighters were called to Stoneywood Road at around 3.30am on Saturday after a woman’s body was found.
It is understood they were called to a blaze on the roundabout at Victoria Street and Stoneywood Road, but they discovered a body on fire when they arrived.
A police cordon remained in place throughout Sunday, with a community garden also under guard by officers.
Part of the grass that backs onto the Marriott Hotel grounds was also cordoned off.
Train lines between Aberdeen and Dyce were closed while emergency services deal with the incident near the railway. Train services have now resumed as normal.
It is believed to be an isolated incident with no wider threat to the public.
Police are appealing for anyone with any relevant information to come forward.
‘No wider threat’
Det Supt Patrick said: “This would appear to have been an isolated incident and there was no wider threat to the local community.
“Anyone who heard or saw anything in the area is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 518 of September 17.”
Locals speak of shock
A Dyce resident, who did not wish to be named, said they heard sirens in the area at around 3am on Saturday morning.
“I was out near the area that night but didn’t see anything at all,” he said.
“But I did hear some sirens at around 3am.”
He was surprised when he heard a body had been discovered the following morning.
“It’s a busy area, someone must have seen something..
He added: “Dyce has changed a lot in the past five years.”
Residents from the nearby flats, who were away when the emergency services arrived, said it was a shock to come home to so much police activity.
A ‘shock’ for the community
Dyce councillor Avril Mackenzie described it as “horrendous.”
“I sincerely hope that it is an isolated incident and that it doesn’t happen again, because that’s totally horrendous,” she said.
Councillor Neil MacGregor, also from the Dyce, Bucksburn and Danestone ward, said: “The emergency services described the incident as unexplained and their investigation is continuing, but this is a very sad discovery and my thoughts are with this unfortunate person’s loved ones.”
Councillor Barney Crockett said: “I don’t know any of the details, but the circumstances seem particularly tragic and I’m sure that everybody in this area will be hoping that the people responsible, or the person responsible can be found very, very quickly.
“I’m sure that there will be total co-operation from local people and I obviously feel for the family and anybody who is close to the victim, it is a terrible tragedy for our area.”
He continued: “Particularly the circumstances, the very sort of public nature of all that happened there, it really brings it home to people and causes a great shock in what is perhaps one of the quieter areas in the city and in the UK.
“We hope that everybody will support the authorities in bringing justice to the situation.”
‘Very distressing news’
Richard Thomson MP for Gordon said: “This is very distressing news which will have shocked many and my thoughts are very much with those affected.
“Dyce is a very close-knit community and while early indications from the police are that this is likely to have been an isolated incident, that will in no way diminish the shock that this news has caused locally.
He continued: “Clearly, investigations are still at an early stage. I would encourage anyone who may be able to assist police with their inquiries to do so without delay.”
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