The handling of a dogwalker’s death that took police nearly a week to determine was murder fell short of expected standards, Scotland’s chief constable has told STV News.
Brian Low was shot dead on the outskirts of Aberfeldy 12 weeks ago and his killer remains at large.
Mr Low’s death was initially assessed as being “non-suspicious and medical-related” but it was confirmed six days later that he had been fatally shot with a shotgun with wounds to his neck and chest.
Police Scotland chief constable Jo Farrell has confirmed that an external inquiry is being held into the shooting.
STV NewsShe told STV News: “That is subject of an external inquiry, as the public would expect, as the family would expect.
“Quite clearly, that response is not what we wanted but it is subject to an inquiry, so we have to let that work its way through.”
Mr Low, 65, was discovered dead being watched over by his black Labrador at around 8.30am on Saturday, February 17, in the Pitillie area on the outskirts of Aberfeldy.
Chief constable Farrell was speaking to STV News in her first broadcast interview – read more.
His death certificate, seen by STV News, reveals that the retired groundskeeper was found dead on a farm track at Pitillie having suffered a shotgun wound to the neck and chest three days before his 66th birthday.
The public and media were not informed that a murder inquiry had been launched until February 27, ten days after Mr Low’s body was found by a member of the public.
Detectives have admitted evidence may have been lost in the delay in setting up a crime scene which did not happen until four days after Mr Low’s body was discovered.
Detectives have conducted more than 100 interviews but have yet to catch the person responsible for murdering the retired groundskeeper.
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) has confirmed that it is looking into the case.
A PIRC spokesperson said: “On March 1, 2024, PIRC was directed by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a 65-year-old man discovered near Aberfeldy on February 17, 2024.
“Once the investigation is concluded, a report on our findings will be submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).”
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