Nearly 200 people packed into a north-east church yesterday to remember a local mechanic brutally murdered in his own home.

Brian McKandie was attacked at his rural cottage in Badenscoth, near Rothienorman, a month ago.

And as mourners left the memorial service at Auchterless Parish Church, the 67-year-old’s brother William renewed his appeal for anyone with information about the killer to come forward.

He said: “It has been a month since Brian died and we would like to again appeal to anyone who may have information that could assist police to get in touch.

“We would urge anyone who thinks they may be able to help even if they think the information is irrelevant to contact police and let them decide.

“Brian was a private, gentle man and we cannot understand why this would have happened to him.”

During the service, a relative of the popular handyman read out a poem. Friends and family uniting to sing hymns Morning Has Broken and Make Me A Channel of Your Peace.

Scottish music was played as mourners took their seats, whilst copies of a police appeal for information on Mr McKandie’s murder were also within the church.

Relatives were the first to leave the building following the proceedings, embracing each other at the church doors.

Speaking after the ceremony Reverend Stephen Potts, who led the service, said: “He was a helpful character, people would go to him with all sorts of things and he would try and fix them.

“He was typical of the people in that area really – easy to talk to, friendly and helpful. He will be missed.

“Brian’s death was a shock anyway then we found out how he died, the community was just stunned, absolutely, just what can you say? He just lived his life through his work.

“What you find at any funeral – there is that sense that you have lost someone then there is that extra dimension of the way he died, and there is as yet no answer to that question and we hope that there will be for the sake of the family and the community.”

He was found dead at Fairview Cottages on March 12, after a worried local raised the alarm when he could not be contacted.

Police believe he was attacked with a heavy weapon.

His brother, Bill McKandie, added yesterday: “Brian was a private, gentle man and we cannot understand why this would have happened to him. He helped a great deal of folk and his death has come as a shock to us all.

“Somebody somewhere must know what happened to Brian and we would ask them to look to their conscience and call the police. We have lost our brother and we just want to know what happened and why.”

Investigation continues

Blue police tape still remains around Brian McKandie’s semi-detached cottage on the outskirts of Rothienorman.

Just along from his home on the B9001 Rothienorman to Forgue road. a police sign urges motorists who were in the area around the time of his death to come forward with information.

And yesterday Detective Chief Inspector Iain Smith renewed that appeal once more.

He said: “Our thoughts are with the family today as they hold a service to mark Mr McKandie’s life.

“Mr McKandie worked as a mechanic from his home and knew a lot of people in the local community.

“I would directly appeal to any of his friends or associates who may have noticed something concerning Mr McKandie in the days leading up to his death, to come forward.

“If there is anything at all, even if it seems insignificant it could assist us so please get in touch and let us make that decision.

“We would again urge anyone with knowledge or information that could assist us with our inquiries to get in touch on 101.”

Rev Stephen Potts added many locals had been “locking their doors” having been unsettled by the murder.

He said: “These things are terrible in any community where these things happen on a more regular basis.

“The fact is wherever these things happen, whether in the middle of London or Glasgow, but it just so happens here this is an extremely rare event. It is felt more.

“Family members wherever they feel the film force of the crimes.”