Reservoir death: victim was killed in violent assault

A MAN found dead near a reservoir had been murdered in a “violent assault”, police have said.

The body of Stewart Barrett, 34, from Kirkintilloch, was discovered half a mile along a forestry track near the Carron Valley Reservoir, at Fintry, Stirlingshire, on Sunday.

Police are appealing for witnesses and are keen to establish what Mr Barrett’s movements were from Saturday night. His body was found at 11am. They have been carrying out door-to-door inquiries in Kirkintilloch.

Mr Barrett was last seen at 10:30pm on Saturday at an address in the town. Police want to speak to anyone who saw him after that, or were near the reservoir on Sunday.

Detective Chief Inspector Willie Cravens, of Central Scotland Police, said: “A post-mortem examination confirmed that Stewart died as a result of injuries sustained during a violent assault.

“We are keen to hear from anybody who may have seen him throughout Saturday either on his own or with other people. He was wearing blue tracksuit bottoms, white trainers and a dark top.

“We are also extremely keen to hear from anybody who may have been in the area of the north end of Carron Valley Reservoir between 10:30pm on Saturday and noon on Sunday.”.