A murder investigation has been launched after a man’s body was found in an Aberdeen home.
Robert Reid, 26, was found dead in a flat in the Mastrick area of the city after reportedly being stabbed.
A major investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the murder is ongoing and police are appealing for information from the public.
Police Scotland confirmed that Robert’s death is being treated as suspicious.
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The victim
Young father Robert lived with his partner Jacqueline Hanratty and their young son in their Aberdeen flat.
He was due to marry Ms Hanratty, who is thought be a cousin of Granite City boxer Lee McAllister, some time next year.
Members of the McAllister family were among those gathered at the scene yesterday, but declined to speak about the tragedy.
The suspect
A suspect is currently being guarded by police in hospital and police say they are following “a positive line of inquiry”.
Police last night confirmed they had launched a murder inquiry, but assured residents it was an “isolated incident”.
A 28-year-old man has now been charged by police.
Hunt for evidence
Several streets in the area were cordoned off throughout the day, while search teams scanned bushes, gardens and bins.
Forensic teams, wearing white bodysuits, hoods and masks could be seen examining the property on Arnage Place and another on Willowbank Place, while plain clothed officers carried out door-to-door inquires.
Local residents said there had been a disturbance in the area at about 1.30am.
Detective Inspector Gary Winter, from the major investigation team, said those reports would be investigated and followed up as part of the inquiry.
He refused to disclose if a weapon had been used, but stressed it was a “contained” incident and that the public were not at risk – despite nobody yet being detained.
A shocked community mourns
Loved ones of Mr Reid, including his partner Jackie, gathered outside the flat yesterday before being led away, visibly distressed.
One local woman, Pamela Paterson, said: “It comes as a real shock because usually it’s a pretty safe area.”
And John Hutcheon said: “I must have slept all through it because the first I heard was on the radio and I came to have a look.
“I thought it must have been something big that’s happened because there was such a strong police force about.
“It’s been bad here in the past but the last few years have been really quiet. I can’t believe it’s happened.”
Forensics officers were also seen investigating around a cordoned off building on the nearby Willowbank Place.
Margaret Gee, who lives nearby, said: “The only thing I saw was police this morning in high visibility jackets looking about.
“We have been in this house for 50 years and I’ve never seen anything like this at all.
“I just thought it had been a car accident or something to begin with until I had a proper look and saw that there were so many cordons up.”
