Police investigating the brutal murder of a north-east mechanic are seeking a lone man spotted walking near his home around the time of his death.
Investigators yesterday said that nine months on from the killing of Brian McKandie in his Badenscoth home, the force is continuing to receive new calls from members of the public regarding the incident.
The handyman was found battered to death at his home on Friday, March 11 and was discovered the next day.
Officers are also seeking the author of an anonymous letter handed in to an Aberdeenshire police officer not long after Mr McKandie’s death, which has provided some information on the murder.
Police are hoping a man about 6ft tall and of average or medium build, who was seen walking towards Rothienorman just before 1am on the Saturday, will come forward and speak to them.
He is said to have been wearing dark clothes and possibly a hat.
Detective Inspector Gary Winter said: “Obviously there is not much street lights, it is not an area you’d naturally be walking on at night. A person walking home at that time would probably be unusual for people to see.
He added the writer of the letter could have information which “could be helpful for the inquiry”.
DI Winter said: “The problem with all this kind of anonymous information is you have got no one to go back to, you will always have another question.
“We are nine months in, the family appeal just went out over the weekend into Monday, it resulted in a couple of calls. People are still sending on information.”
DI Winter added they are also continuing to discover new customers of the mechanic as they attempt to piece together his final days.
“Nine months on we are still as busy as ever. It is still fully under investigation, we are still appealing for and this week identifying new customers of Brian’s,” he said.
He added: “The reality is a murderer remains out there in the public and I would just appeal to the public to help us find that person.”
Two men seen near his address at the time are also still being sought. One is described as between 40 and 50 years of age, with a heavy build and dark hair.
The other is believed to be aged between 20 and 30 and is described as being thin and with blond, possibly collar-length, hair.
