Jenny Methven murder: Hunt focuses on car valet boss who tried to take own life

POLICE are focusing on 46-year-old car valeter Billy Kean in their probe into the murder of pensioner Jenny Methven after the discovery of a suicide note.

Mr Kean remained in hospital with officers at his bedside last night and had not been able to be interviewed due to his condition.

A search has been carried out at his home which doubles as a business address.

Yesterday’s “significant development” in the month-long murder hunt came after Mr Kean was found slumped in a car after a suspected drug overdose on Monday.

His car was discovered parked in a driveway in the village of Woodside, by Burrelton in Perthshire, and contained a note making reference to the murder of the 80-year-old.

Several police officers were at his home in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, yesterday.

The apparent attempted suicide forced the cancellation of a scheduled appeal on BBC’s Crimewatch this week and is the first significant breakthrough in the murder hunt.

Mrs Methven was found on 20 February by her son David at the cottage they shared at Kildinny Farm, Forteviot in Perthshire.

She had suffered fatal injuries to her head and body. The pensioner, who was found sitting on a chair beside her kitchen table with a bloodstained towel around her head, had been hit with a large blunt instrument.

No weapon has so far been recovered by police.

A Tayside Police spokesman said yesterday: “Further developments in the case came to light early on Tuesday morning, resulting in a proposed reconstruction on the BBC’s Crimewatch having to be cancelled.”

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Gall, who is leading the investigation, said yesterday: “The enquiry has reached a critical stage and we are working hard to piece together vital evidence that we need.

“For sound operational and investigative reasons, I’m not in a position to elaborate on what these developments are at this stage.

“I know there is a great deal of public interest in this case and I can assure you that when I have any news that we can share I will share that with you.

“We still have officers carrying out house-to-house enquiries in the area. Given the rural location where Jenny lived this task has been immense.

“Already, some 500 houses in the area have been visited by officers, with 860 people interviewed and asked if they had any information that could assist with the enquiry.

“Hours of CCTV footage have been examined and appeals we made for the identity of vehicles seen in or around the area has resulted in over 800 vehicles being traced.

“The response from members of the public has been overwhelming.

“The incident room has received over 480 individual calls from the public and we are hugely appreciative of the information received.

“We are in close liaison with Jenny’s family, and are ensuring that they are kept aware of any further developments in the case.”