Murder family left 'heartbroken'

Christopher Branigan was described as "much-loved"

Relatives of a man murdered in Aberdeen have said they are "heartbroken".

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

His sister Pauline Fazackerley said: "We are heartbroken and devastated that Christopher has been taken from us so suddenly."

Grampian Police want to trace a black man in connection with the murder. They want to hear information about anyone with blood-stained clothes.

Mr Branigan's sister said: "He was a much-loved son, brother, father and uncle and we are all going to miss him.

"Christopher had been living with our mother, Patricia Lindsay, and she is inconsolable.

"The last time our mother saw him was just a few hours before he was so cruelly taken from her and at that time he was in good health and good spirits."

Dark clothing

She added: "She cannot comprehend what has happened, particularly as in recent times he had been making efforts to turn his life around."

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

Grampian Police said that Mr Branigan died later.

Grampian detectives have been probing the murder

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

Detectives have traced one of two men they were seeking.

Now officers are renewing their efforts to speak to a black man who might have been visiting the block of flats.

He 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.

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.

Dozens 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.