Brian Low murder: Brother speaks out about 'anger' after police failed to notice the gamekeeper had been shot
Brian Low was found on a remote path near Aberfeldy with blood and black marks on his face, 30 pellet injuries and clothes peppered with holes but detectives on the scene determined his injuries were consistent with a fall.
The family of a murdered Perthshire gamekeeper Brian Low have spoken for the first time about how they were left “angry and sad” that police failed to notice he had been shot.
Despite being found on a remote path near Aberfeldy on February 17, 2024 with blood and black marks on his face, 30 pellet injuries and clothes peppered with holes detectives on the scene determined his injuries were consistent with a fall.
The 65-year-old’s violent death wasn’t treated as suspicious by police until six days later when a post mortem determined he died from gun shot wounds and, a trial heard, pellets fell from his body bag during the examination.
The murder inquiry wasn’t launched until ten days after Mr Low’s body was found.
Delays meant the lane where he was walking with his dog Millie when attacked was not cordoned off and forensic evidence had not been preserved.
The case led against his killer, former colleague David Campbell, was led as circumstantial.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has confirmed a review into the handling of the case has now concluded with “no outstanding matters requiring further investigation”. And Police Scotland say there has be no disciplinary action against any officers involved.
Campbell, 77, is currently serving a life sentence for murdering but Mr Low’s family remain angry about the blunders in the investigation.
They have spoken for the first time in a new two-part BBC documentary Murder Trail: The Death of a Dog Walker which follows the murder trial and the investigation.
Brother Douglas Low said: "I was so angry and so sad at the same time.
"How could this happen?"
He adds that the pictures of Mr Low’s body were "so horrific I barely kept my breakfast down. I can't imagine why someone would say that's a medical event".
Mr Low’s niece, Jacqui Low, added: "It just seems incredible that they didn't see the marks on his face, the shot."
Campbell was arrested three months after Mr Low’s body was discovered.
The documentary follows prosecutor Greg Farrell as his team built the case against Campbell, as well as the accused's lawyer, Tony Lenehan KC, as he attempted to dismantle the prosecution's timeline and cast doubt on the evidence.
The prosecution worked to build a picture of Campbell's long-standing grudge against Mr Low. Both men had worked at the nearby Edradynate Estate together more than 20 years.
The trial heard there had been a fall out after Campbell suspected Mr Low of "planting" items which were said to have been found during a raid on his then-home on the estate after alleged bird poisonings.
Pam Curran, who was Low's partner for 22 years, said everyone who met Brian liked him.
"I don't think he had a bad bone in his body," she said.
Douglas Low said: "Who would want to harm Brian?
“He was the nicest, kindest person you could ever imagine.
"It's just so unbelievable."
Following Campbell’s conviction in February this year it was confirmed that the handling of the case was being probed by the Police Investigations an Review Commissioner.
They submitted their report to the COPFS who have confirmed it has concluded.
A spokesman said: “The Procurator Fiscal received reports, including from the Police Investigation Review Commissioner, in connection with the death of a 65-year-old man following an incident near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, on February 17, 2024.
“Following careful consideration of the wider circumstances, the Procurator Fiscal concluded there were no outstanding matters requiring further investigation.
“The family of Brian Low have been informed.”
Police Scotland confirmed there has been no disciplinary action.
Detective Chief Superintendent Lorna Ferguson said she had “personally” apologised to Mr Low’s family for the failings.
In a statement she said Police Scotland has “learned lessons” and admitted the initial response to Mr Low’s death “fell short”.
She added: “We are aware of the conclusions made by the Procurator Fiscal.
“ We acknowledge that our initial response to this inquiry fell short of what Police Scotland and the public rightly expects.
“We have reflected carefully on this and have learned valuable lessons.
“ A review of all policies and procedures around attendance at unexplained deaths has been completed.
“Our thoughts remain with Mr Low’s family.”