A man has appeared in court accused of murdering a Perth father-of-one on a remote country road.
John Higgins faces allegations he attacked Stephen Speedie with a knife on the Path of Condie road.
The 42-year-old is further accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by burning clothes.
Mr Speedie’s body was found on the rural route between Kinross and Dunning on Friday morning, prompting a major police investigation.
Detectives confirmed they were treating the 29-year-old’s death as murder following the results of a post-mortem examination.
John Higgins appeared on petition at Perth Sheriff Court on Monday afternoon.
He is accused of murdering Mr Speedie by striking him on the body with a knife or similar weapon.
It is further alleged that Higgins instructed people, who are not known to prosecutors, to light a fire in the garden of his home at Allanwater Gardens, Blackford.
Prosecutors allege that en route to the property, Higgins disposed of a weapon in an area of water.
Once home, the father-of-three is alleged to have removed his clothing and burned them in the fire pit, in an attempt to defeat the ends of justice.
Higgins made no plea and was remanded in custody following the brief, private hearing before Sheriff Allan Findlay.
He are expected to make a follow-up appearance at the same court next week.
A 40-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man were also arrested, but both were released pending further inquiries.
Tributes
Tributes have been paid to Mr Speedie on social media.
An online fundraising page was launched by his stepfather Dougie Bryce to raise funds for a funeral.
On the Gofundme page, he wrote: “Our son Stephen Speedie sadly passed away suddenly on Friday June 13.
“The funds will be used for funeral costs and to give him the best send off and would help us massively.
“Stephen sadly leaves behind his beautiful two-year-old daughter, who he adored dearly.”
CID officers were seen at a property on Allanwater Gardens, Blackford, throughout Saturday and Sunday, as part of the ongoing investigation.
Locals described seeing investigators in blue forensic suits at the housing estate, which is about 15 miles from the Dunning-Kinross road where Mr Speedie’s body was found.
Carron McKellar, detective chief inspector, said: “Our thoughts are with Stephen’s family and friends at what is an extremely difficult time.
“Officers are offering support and keeping them updated with the progress of our investigation.
“I understand this incident will be concerning for the local community.
“However, I’d like to reassure them, we believe this was an isolated incident and there is no wider risk to the public.”
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