Brian McKandie murder: 'Encouraging' Crimewatch response

Brian McKandie was found beaten to death with a "heavy weapon"

An appeal on BBC One's Crimewatch about the murder of a 67-year-old man at his home in Aberdeenshire generated a "positive" response, police have said.

Brian McKandie was found beaten to death with a "heavy weapon" in his home in Rothienorman on 12 March.

Police believe Mr McKandie may have known his killer.

The case was featured on Monday night. Det Ch Insp Iain Smith said at the end of the programme there had been a "really encouraging response".

Calls from members of the public have produced "a number of lines of enquiry" to follow.

Det Ch Insp Smith told the BBC Scotland news website on Tuesday there was not a "golden nugget" of information, but the calls were "positive", especially in connection with information about a burgundy/maroon-coloured estate car officers want to trace.

'Come forward'

He said: "We are still waiting for the individual out there who is sitting deliberating if they come forward.

"It's featured on a national level and increased the profile for public attention. It's very much a live investigation.

"I can only hope that the programme will encourage people to come forward to assist us in determining the full circumstances of Brian's death, and I would like to thank those who have made contact already."

Det Ch Insp Smith explained: "Brian was a 67-year-old man who lived alone, who worked hard as a self-employed mechanic and was friendly to everyone he knew.

"Why anyone would want to hurt him remains a mystery, however somebody, somewhere, knows what happened to him and I would urge them to look into their conscience and come forward.

"A dedicated team is investigating this incident with the assistance of a number of specialist officers and departments, however, we are relying on information from the public."

Reward offer

It was revealed earlier this month that DNA evidence has been found at Mr McKandie's home but no arrests have been made.

His brother Bill made an appeal on the programme.

He said: "We just can't put our finger on the reason for it happening. There seemed to be no apparent reason. Somebody, somewhere, knows what happened."

Crimestoppers has already offered a reward of up to £10,000 for information that leads to a conviction in the case.

Mr McKandie was found dead at his house in Rothienorman