Man Found Dead With Significant Injuries In Edinburgh Flat

2 December 2016, 16:41 | Updated: 4 December 2016, 07:13

A man found dead in a flat in one of Scotland's most affluent areas following a suspected murder had suffered significant injuries, police have said.

Officers were called to the property in Scotland Street, in Edinburgh's New Town, at around 5.30am on Friday after neighbours reported a disturbance.

When police forced entry to the flat, they found the badly-injured body of the man, believed to be aged in his mid-20s.

Detectives are treating the death as a homicide but are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination before officially confirming the nature of their probe.

Another man, also thought to be in his mid-20s, was removed from the flat and is helping police with their inquiries as a significant witness.

Police have seized two cars in the street which they believe could be linked to the property.

A full major investigation team, involving up to 45 police officers and staff, is currently working on the case.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Hardie said: ''I'm satisfied at this time this male has sustained significant injuries and it's very much suspicious, the circumstances in which he's been found.

''Until we carry out a post-mortem to get a cause of death we can't commit to this being a homicide, however we are dealing with it at that level.

''We've deployed a full major investigation team syndicate on to this inquiry, so basically we are investigating it like we would a homicide because I suspect that is going to be the outcome.''

He would not be drawn on the specific injuries suffered by the man, but told reporters: ''Certainly the victim has sustained very, very significant injuries.''

A police cordon surrounded the scene on Friday afternoon while forensic work continued at the building and officers carried out inquiries in the area.

The dead man has not yet been formally named, although police are thought to have a good idea about his identity.

Mr Hardie said he suspects a weapon was used during the incident, although it is ''difficult to say'' until the results of the post-mortem are known.

Officers are keeping an open mind about what happened and their investigation is said to be at an early stage.

The senior officer said he does not, however, believe the death followed a botched burglary.

The other man who was in the flat is not being treated as a suspect.

''There's another male present in the flat who is assisting us with our inquiries, Mr Hardie said. ''He's being treated as a significant witness at this point.``

Police are also believed to have no record of the men being residents of the property.

''I'm satisfied that both the male we have assisting us with our inquiries and the deceased have been frequenting that flat for a period of time,'' Mr Hardie added.

Police have appealed to anyone with information that could help the probe to contact them.

Mr Hardie said: ''I would urge anyone who was in the Scotland Street area on the morning of Friday December 2 to get in touch with us immediately.''