A murder enquiry has been launched in Ayrshire following the discovery of a dead body yesterday.
Robert Stewart Clelland, known locally as Stewart, was found in his flat in Wallace Street, Galston at around 6.20am in the morning
Police initially treated the 56-year-old's death as suspicious but confirmed tonight that they were treating it as murder.
Now cops have appealed for information as they bid to find out exactly what happened to Mr Clelland.
Officers understand there was a disturbance in his flat the night before his body was discovered and told how a van belonging to Mr Clelland was found in a car park near Galston's Bentinck Square.
Detective chief inspector Alan Sommerville, of Kilmarnock police office, said: “We know that Stewart had been in a pub on Wallace Street near to his home until around 9pm on Tuesday, July 23 and had later called a family member via the phone around 10pm.
“We also understand from our enquiries so far that there was some kind of disturbance or raised voices heard in the vicinity of his home around 11.30 pm.
“Officers are speaking to neighbours and checking CCTV and are keen to hear from anyone who saw Stewart that night, who might have seen or heard the disturbance, or indeed who may have any information that will assist our enquiry.
“In addition, a grey van, belonging to Stewart, was found in a car park to the rear of nearby Bentinck Square – a Nissan NV 200 – which is similar in size to a transit van but a bit smaller. Did anyone see this van being driven in Galston that evening, being parked at Bentinck Square or see anyone near that van?
“This is a small, close-knit town and we want to catch the person responsible for Stewart’s murder.
“Any information, no matter how significant you may think it may or may not be, can be passed to Kilmarnock police office via 101, quoting incident number 0742 of Wednesday 24 July 2019.
“Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given in confidence.”
