A murder investigation has been launched after a north-east mechanic was found dead in his home.
Brian McKandie was discovered in his home on the outskirts of Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire, and last night detectives confirmed they were treating his death as suspicious.
It is believed the alarm was raised by a local, who could not get hold of the pensioner after he put his car in for repairs.
Officers found Mr McKandie’s body on Saturday, and have been carrying out inquiries since.
Last night the cottage at Badenscoth, just a few miles north of Rothienorman, was swarming with activity as the investigation was upped and forensic teams examined the scene.
A blue tent was erected around the front door of the property, while investigators in white forensic suits could be seen going in and out of the remote cottage and its nearby garage.
Meanwhile shocked locals described the handyman, who is believed to have been in his 70s, as a “cracking bloke”.
They said many residents in the community would go to Mr McKandie, who had lived in the area for at least 25 years, for help with all kinds of problems, from fixing their televisions to carrying out MOTs.
One man said: “He was a quiet man, he kept himself to himself and he lived alone.
“He was a fixer, a real whiz. He was the kind of boy who, if your washing machine was written off, you could take it up to Brian, and he’d say ‘och aye, come back tomorrow at 11am’, and it’d be fixed.”
Another added: “He was a cracking bloke. I think you would have a hard job finding anybody who had a bad thing to say about him. I’m not kidding, he was a cracking bloke, always had spare time to help you out.”
Mr McKandie was last seen alive on Friday, March 11.
Officers trying to piece together has last movements have been carrying out door-to-door inquiries around the village hall, local pub and neighbours.
Detective Chief Inspector Iain Smith last night appealed for anyone who had seen him that day, or the next, to come forward and assist the investigation.
He 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.
“He was a man who was well known in the local community.
“Mr McKandie’s home is a part of a small collection of houses in a fairly remote area and we’re looking for anyone who may have been in the area or passing through that weekend to come forward with information about anyone they may have seen in the area.
“We’re particularly interested in the hours between midday on Friday March 11 and Saturday afternoon.”
Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
