Murdered city man named by police

Christopher Branigan died after an incident in Tillydrone

A man murdered in Aberdeen has been named by police.

Christopher Branigan, 41, of Western Road, died in the Tillydrone area of the city on Tuesday night.

Officers were called to the landing of flats at 48-62 Ritchie Place at about 1900 BST after they received reports that a man had been injured.

Grampian Police said that Mr Branigan later died. They appealed for anyone who might have seen someone with blood-stains to contact them.

Det Insp Malcolm Stewart said he was eager to trace people who might have been in the area.

He said: "We believe there were a lot of comings and goings from the block of flats in the late afternoon.

"It is not yet clear what these people were doing but we would like to eliminate them from our inquiries.

Whoever was involved in this incident was likely to be blood-stained as would their clothes have been Det Insp Malcolm Stewart Grampian Police

"In particular I would like to trace two men who were seen leaving the block of flats around that time."

The first is described as black, about 30, between 5ft 8in and 6ft tall, of athletic build and with shaved black hair. He was wearing dark clothing.

The other man is described as white, aged between 30 and 40, 5ft 8in tall and of stocky build. He had a dark complexion and was wearing dark clothing.

Det Insp Stewart also urged any taxi or bus drivers who might have picked up a blood-stained passenger from the Tillydrone area of the city on Tuesday evening to contact them.

'A shock'

He said: "Whoever was involved in this incident was likely to be blood-stained as would their clothes have been.

"I want to hear from anyone has seen blood-stained clothing or been asked to dispose or wash such items.

"The inquiry is still in its early stages and we have received a lot of information and support from a number of people."

Grampian detectives have been at the murder scene

He added: "Unfortunately because the property at Ritchie Place is a crime scene we have had to ask some of the residents to move elsewhere. I appreciate their co-operation."

A "large number" of detectives, uniformed officers and specialist forensic and scene of crime officers are involved in the murder investigation.

House-to-house inquiries have been taking place in the Tillydrone area.

One local man, who said he knew the victim, told BBC Scotland: "He was a nice enough bloke, it's quite a shock."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Grampian Police on 0845 600 5700 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.