Police are investigating after a man’s body was discovered at his home in Aberdeenshire.
The 64-year-old, named locally as Douglas Miller, was found on Friday by his neighbour Howard Lingard at his address in St Andrew’s, Monymusk after he hadn’t seen him for a couple of days.
It is not clear what caused Mr Miller’s death, but investigating officers said it appears there are no suspicious circumstances.
Mr Miller lived alone and had not been seen since earlier in the week.
Last night Mr Lingard, who lives in the same street with his wife Raylene, said they had known Mr Miller since he moved into the street 15 years ago.
He said he had become worried after he hadn’t been seen “going about” so went to check on him on Friday afternoon at around 3pm.
Mr Lingard said he was able to get into the house through the back door which was unlocked.
He said: “I saw him straight away lying on the floor. The whole place was completely black – all over the living room – everything was black.
“I can only think that a cigarette must have caught light, but he must have been there for two or three days. It was such a shock.”
Mr Lingard said he believed Mr Miller was originally from Wick and leaves behind two children.
Another neighbour said “he usually kept himself to himself” so not seeing him “wasn’t unusual.”
A police spokesman yesterday said: “Police were called in relation to the sudden death of a 64-year-old man in St Andrews, Monymusk at about 3pm on Friday, March 24.
“Whilst inquiries are on-going at present, the death is being treated as unexplained and is not believed to be suspicious.
“A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
