A man attended court facing a murder charge following the death of an elderly man in Oban.
Oskars Rancevs, 32, made no plea or declaration when he appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court yesterday. He was remanded in custody.
Police were called to Columba Court off Castle Road in the Dunollie area of Oban at 9.40am on Monday following reports of an elderly man being seriously injured following an altercation between neighbours.
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The 73-year-old man, named as Martyn Smith, was taken by ambulance to Lorn and Islands Hospital where he died.
Meanwhile, police confirmed they were investigating the death of another elderly man, in Columba Court.
It is believed he may have suffered a heart attack.
Asked if his death was connected to the earlier incident, a police spokeswoman said it was “one line of inquiry”.
She added: “At 8pm on Monday the body of a 75-year-old man was found within a flat in Columba Court. His death is currently being treated as unexplained.”
Residents of Castle Road and Columba Court yesterday had to sign in with police to get through a cordoned-off area and gain access to their homes.
There was a high police presence throughout the area and forensics workers in white suits could be seen coming and going from the flats.
Last night police had not released the names of either of the dead men.
Yesterday one resident of Columba Court said that a lorry arrived to recover a car from the scene on Monday night.
The curtain-sider HGV from ADJ Stevenson Prestige Vehicle recovery arrived with several police vehicles and took a dark-coloured car away, she said.
She said: “A car was taken away by forensics last night. It is shocking. I think all of the neighbours are in shock.”
Councillor Julie McKenzie of the Oban North and Lorn ward said: “This is an incredibly concerning development.
“I would like to send my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased men.
“There is understandably a great deal of anger and shock in the community and it is important at this time that police officers are given time and support by Oban residents in order to carry out their investigation.”
