Police hunt killer who struck in stab frenzy

DETECTIVES were today hunting a killer after revealing that a lecturer found dead in his upmarket Edinburgh home had been stabbed multiple times in a frenzied attack.

Forensic tests are being carried out on knives collected from 64-year-old Roger Gray's flat as part of the search for a potential murder weapon following the discovery of his body in the early hours of Saturday morning. Police disclosed that neighbours described hearing a "disturbance" in the property in Merchiston Crescent in the hours before his body was discovered.

It is understood Mr Gray was gay and that police are investigating whether the attack on him was in any way linked to his sexuality. Today it was reported that with no signs of a forced entry at the property one theory is that he may have known his attacker.

Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to Mr Gray by former students at Heriot-Watt University, where he lectured in statistics for 40 years.

One former student described him as a "very nice and helpful guy", adding that he was "totally shocked" that he may have been a murder victim.

Officers confirmed they broke down the door of Mr Gray's flat and found his body after neighbours reported a gas leak, but would not comment further on suspicions that a killer may have tried to rig an explosion to destroy evidence. Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Blair said the cause of death had not yet been established, but Mr Gray appeared to be the victim of a "sustained attack" and, as reported yesterday by the News, he had suffered stab wounds.

He added: "He has injuries consistent with being stabbed.

"We are not at the stage where there is a positive line of enquiry."

DCI Blair said Mr Gray was last seen alive by neighbours on Friday afternoon and "seemed absolutely fine". He added: "We have neighbours who heard a disturbance at around 10pm.

"We are asking anyone who was in the area at the time or around it to come forward and help us with our enquiries.

"We would also ask anyone who was a friend to come forward as we are trying to build a picture around Mr Gray."

He said the body had still to be formally identified, but that next of kin had been informed.

DCI Blair stressed the case "appears to be an isolated attack", adding "there is nothing to suggest that anything like this is going to happen again".

Bill Coventry, 77, who lives in the flat above Mr Gray, raised the alarm on Saturday.

He said: "It was my bedroom that was reeking with gas."I just got in touch with the gas board immediately."

A council gully cleaning vehicle was brought in to Merchiston Crescent yesterday to check whether a weapon had been dumped in the drains.

A Heriot-Watt University spokeswoman said: "We were very saddened to hear of the death of Roger Gray. He was a long-standing and much-valued colleague who contributed greatly to the university and his students. He will be greatly missed."