3 killings in a single weekend across city

Officers move out following the arrest of a man in connection with the death in Pilton

Officers found a 45-year-old man, named locally as Alan Ross, in his bedroom at Pilton Drive North at 2.30am yesterday after firefighters attended a blaze at the property, which looked to have been started deliberately. Sources claimed he had been stabbed to death before the fire.

Meanwhile, another man, named as John Carter, died after being found unconscious in a lift at a property on Salamander Court, in Leith.

Police were called after the 44-year-old was found in a lift at around 3.30am yesterday. It is believed that he may have attended a party at the block of flats. The victim was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after he was discovered, but died a short time later. It is thought that he had been beaten.

A post-mortem examination has taken place, and further inquires will have to be carried out before the cause of his death is established.

Detective Inspector Sara Buchanan, who is leading the investigation, said: "The results of the post-mortem were inconclusive, and our inquiries into Mr Carter's death are ongoing.

"We are continuing to appeal for witnesses who were in the area of Salamander Court in the early hours of Sunday morning, who may have seen or heard anything suspicious.

"Similarly, anyone with any other information that can assist our inquiries should also get in touch."

One source described the crime scene in Pilton as "horrific". They said: "There was a lot of blood. The victim had several wounds. It was a pretty horrific crime. We think there was some sort of argument before he was killed."

One of Mr Ross's friends, David Murray, who had known the victim for a decade, said he had been left in "complete shock".

Mr Murray said he had last seen Mr Ross at 5pm the night before his death. He said: "We went for a drink and I said I'd pick him up at 1pm the next day because he needed to go to PC World to get his computer fixed.

"I couldn't get hold of him all morning, then when I arrived I saw forensics in his flat. The police didn't tell me anything. I'm in shock."

He added that he did not know of any trouble that Mr Ross was in or of any people that didn't like him.

Detective Chief Inspector David Gordon, who is leading the Pilton investigation, said: "We believe that there was a disturbance at the property before the fire broke out, and we want anyone who may have seen someone entering or leaving the property in the early hours to contact police."

Meanwhile police have confirmed they are treating the death of Lee Duncan, 31, in a flat in Lauriston Place on Friday, as murder.

Detectives want to trace a man seen in the area on the same day.

Police are treating his death as murder following a post-mortem examination which took place at the weekend.

Lothian and Borders Police said they are keen to speak to a man who may be able to help them with their inquiries.

He is said to be white, 5ft 6in, of a muscular build and with short-cropped hair. He was wearing blue overalls.

Police said he was thought to have been outside the flats in Lauriston Place at 3am on Friday and could be heard shouting up towards one of the windows.

Detective chief inspector Keith Hardie, leading the investigation, said: "We hope that someone will have seen or heard this man and may be able to help us in identifying him.

"Anyone who was in Lauriston Place around 3am and recognises his description or who remembers seeing anything suspicious is asked to contact police immediately.

"Similarly, we would urge this man to make contact with officers as soon as possible and assist us with our investigation."

Mr Duncan's mother Bernadette said in an earlier statement: "Our family is devastated and shocked at the sudden and tragic loss of Lee, who was a loving son, brother and uncle."

In a statement released on behalf of Lee Duncan's family, his mother Bernadette and sister Melanie said: "Our family is devastated and shocked at the sudden and tragic loss of Lee, who was a loving son, brother and uncle."

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Hardie, who is leading the investigation, said: "We want to speak to anyone who was in the area of the flats in Lauriston Place, opposite Glen Street, from the early hours of Friday morning, who saw or heard anything suspicious."

There is nothing to suggest the three deaths are linked.

A police spokesman said a man had been arrested in connection with the death in Pilton Drive North.