Murder Inquiry Launched in Livingston
Police Scotland has launched a murder inquiry following the death of a 32-year-old man in Livingston.
Police have identified the man as Blair Gault from Livingston.
Around 3am on Tuesday, 16 November, 2021, emergency services attended the Fintry Avenue and Buchanan Crescent areas in Livingston where a man was found seriously injured on a footpath. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The area where the man was found is a footpath in an open area between Fintry Avenue and Buchanan Crescent. There is a railway line running through it and the man was found close to Buchanan Crescent.
Following a post mortem examination, police are now treating the death as murder.
It is likely that members of the public will see a significant police presence in the area for some time and officers will be carrying out enquiries in an effort to establish what happened to Blair.
Police will be carrying out door-to-door enquiries in the area and officers are gathering CCTV footage which could provide the inquiry team with additional information.
Officers are now seeking to establish where Blair was on Monday evening and the early hours of Tuesday morning, who was he with, was he seen with anyone?
Enquiries carried out so far have established that Blair was in the area between Fintry Avenue and Buchanan Crescent around the time of 2.30 to 3am. Despite the timing, officers are asking local residents to think back and consider if they heard or saw anything suspicious or unusual.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick from the Major Investigation Team said: “We need to piece together Blair’s movements. We know he was in the general area of Fintry Avenue and the pathway between the railway line and Buchanan Crescent around 2.30 to 3am, we need to know why he was there and did he see or meet anyone there.
“Blair suffered a sustained and violent attack. This area is surrounded by houses and while we are conducting door-to-door enquiries, we would appeal for anyone who may have heard any disturbance in the early hours of the morning to contact the Police.”
“If you heard or saw anything, even if you’re not sure if it’s relevant, please contact us and let us assess and evaluate its importance.
“Sometimes all it takes is one small piece of information which can prove vital in an ongoing investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to call detectives on 101, quoting incident number 0290 of 16 November, 2021. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where your information can be given anonymously.