Angus death probe: Police say 27-year-old man was murdered with ‘sharp, heavy weapon’

Detectives investigating a man’s death in Angus believe he was murdered.

The dead man has been named as 27-year-old Steven Donaldson of Arbroath. Police say he was the victim of a sustained and brutal attack with a “sharp, heavy weapon”.

A member of the public came across his body at Loch of Kinnordy Nature Reserve on Thursday morning at about 5am.

A major exclusion area was set up, and later followed by a no-fly zone as officers probed the grim find.

Officers have confirmed the no-fly zone was put in place to prevent members of the public flying drones over the investigation scene.

Detective Superintendent James Smith, of the Major Investigation Team, said: “Firstly, I would like to say our thoughts are with Steven’s family and friends. They are currently being supported by specialist officers during this very difficult time.

“We were alerted to reports that the body of a man had been found in the car park of Kinnordy Nature Reserve in the early of hours of Thursday morning.

‘A brutal and sustained attack’

“Extensive police enquiries are ongoing and officers are reviewing CCTV footage and carrying out house-to-house enquiries in an effort to gather more information as to who is responsible for Steven’s death.

“A postmortem examination has established that Steven was the victim of a brutal and sustained attack.  His attacker(s) must be traced as a matter of urgency and I urge the public to assist me with this investigation, to find who was responsible.”

Police believe Mr Donaldson drove from Arbroath to Kirriemuir on Wednesday evening in his white BMW 1 Series car. It has a private registration of S73 VED.

DS Smith added: “We are keen to speak to anyone who may his seen car in either the Arbroath area or Kirriemuir area that evening.”

‘Everything is being done to find out who was responsible’

Chief Inspector David McIntosh, Local Area Commander for Angus, said: “This incident will undoubtedly shock the local community of Kirriemuir and wider area but I want to assure the public that crimes of this nature are very rare in Angus and everything is being done to find out who was responsible for the death of Steven.

“We are carrying out high visibility patrols in the area and if you have any information that can assist our investigation, please speak to one of these officers or call Police Scotland on 101.”

(more soon)