Mystery surrounds PC's death

A POLICE dog handler has been found dead under mysterious circumstances in his home town.

Friends of Police Constable John Burke, from Musselburgh, East Lothian, suggested there may have been a "tragic accident".

The 41-year-old was a uniformed officer who served with Lothian and Borders Police force for 22 years.

His body was discovered by a member of the public out walking on Thursday afternoon in the Cowpits area of Musselburgh - a quiet part of the town which is surrounded by fields.

PC Burke's death is being treated by police as "unexplained" but a friend of the officer's family said there had been a "tragic accident".

The man spoke briefly outside the family's residence near the Monktonhall area of the town.

He said many people had been deeply affected by PC Burke's death, including his partner and his neighbours.

Inquiries are ongoing into the mystery surrounding the death but a police spokesman insisted there were no suspicious circumstances.

He could not confirm if it had been an accident or if he died of a natural cause.

PC Burke was not believed to have been on duty when he was found as he was not wearing a uniform.

The spokesman said: "Police are investigating the death of a 41-year-old serving Lothian and Borders Police officer, whose body was recovered in the Cowpits area of Musselburgh on Thursday afternoon.

"The officer's name is John Burke, 41, from Musselburgh.

"He had served with the force for 22 years. Inquiries are underway

."Our sincere condolences go to his family at this difficult time."