Police question drivers at ERI car park death scene

Detectives and uniformed officers returned to the scene last night to quiz hospital workers and commuters exactly one week since the last known sighting of the man.

The 43-year-old was found dead with significant injuries last Sunday afternoon. It is believed the victim, who has not been named, could have lain in the bushes in the hospital car park for almost two days.

He was last seen on CCTV getting off a number 33 bus with a group of four other men near the hospital at about 10pm on Friday, April 5.

Police revisited the area between 9pm and 11pm last night in an effort to trace more witnesses who might have seen the group.

In a separate investigation, city detectives are also appealing for a taxi driver to come forward and assist with their inquiries into the ongoing murder investigation surrounding Steven Barrett. The 27-year-old, who was a Flybe first officer working out of Edinburgh Airport, was found in Lochend Butterfly Way last Saturday.

Darren McLauchlan, 23, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier this week charged with his murder.

He made no plea or declaration and he was remanded in custody.

However, officers are keen to trace a taxi driver whom they believe may have information relevant to the investigation. The driver picked up two men and a woman from George Street just after midnight and into the early hours of Saturday and travelled to a takeaway just opposite the Playhouse before dropping the trio off at Lochend Butterfly way.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Wilson said: “At this time we do not know if the three individuals were picked up by a private hire vehicle or by a taxi cab.

“As such, we are asking any driver who remembers taking this fare to contact police immediately and assist with our inquiries.”

Anyone with information about these crimes should contact Police Scotland on 101, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.