Arabic version: أسرة براين لو تتساءل عن التأخير بعد مقتله

According to BBC News, Brian Low’s family have spoken publicly about police errors after the 65-year-old was shot dead while walking his dog near Aberfeldy in February 2024. His death was not initially treated as suspicious, despite blood on his hands and face.

Low’s body was found on Leafy Lane on the morning of 17 February, with his dog Millie beside him. Detectives initially believed his injuries were consistent with a fall. A post-mortem later found gunshot wounds, about 30 pellet injuries and holes in his clothing. Shotgun pellets had fallen from the body bag before his body was examined.

A crime-scene cordon was not erected until 23 February, six days after the discovery, and a murder inquiry began 10 days after his body was found. Det Ch Insp Martin MacDougall said delays could have affected evidence including footprints, tyre tracks and CCTV.

Retired gamekeeper David Campbell was arrested three months later and convicted of murdering Low following a 15-day trial at the High Court in Glasgow. The prosecution presented a circumstantial case linking Campbell to a longstanding grudge against Low, his former colleague at Edradynate Estate. Campbell was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years before he can apply for parole.

Low’s brother Douglas said he was angry and sad at the initial assessment of the death, while his niece Jacqui said it seemed incredible that marks on his face and the shooting injuries had not been recognised. Their account features in the two-part BBC documentary Murder Trial: Death of a Dog Walker.