A friend of Dundee murder victim John Kennedy has spoken of his shock and disbelief at the death of the man he saw every day.
Newsagent Kashif Ahmed said: ”John came in every morning for his Courier and his rolls. I’ve had this shop for eight years and I knew him all that time.
”John was a decent, friendly man. We chatted quite a bit and mostly about football. He was a big Dundee FC fan,” said the Pitkerro Road shopkeeper.
”He kept himself to himself and I didn’t know much about his personal life other than that his wife Betty died about two years ago. This obviously affected him as he and Betty were best buddies, but he seemed to get over it and get on with life.”
Mr Ahmed (34), of First Choice Superstore, added: ”When I heard that John had been killed I was shocked. I couldn’t believe it could happen to someone I knew as a decent man.
”He was a likeable man and I don’t know who could have had an argument with him. He didn’t deserve to go like that.
”I enjoyed the many chats I had with John in the mornings. He was my friend. It’s hard to take that he’s not around any more.”
Mr Kennedy (63) was found dead in his home in Mossgiel Crescent, Linlathen, on Sunday night. He had been stabbed to death in what was described by Detective Inspector Gary Ogilvie, the senior investigating officer in the case, as a ”vicious and frenzied” attack.
Neighbours were alerted to the violence by the barking of Mr Kennedy’s dog Trusty and when they went to investigate they made the gruesome discovery.
A slim man of around 5ft 7in was seen leaving the semi-detached house around the time of the murder. He was wearing a dark hooded top with the hood up.
Police were standing guard at nine different points surrounding the property on Wednesday as a large cordon was kept in place around much of Mossgiel Cresent and the surrounding streets.
CID officers and uniformed officers were seen visiting neighbours and carrying out door-to-door inquiries. Police also searched open land, gardens, outhouses, garages and bins. They asked residents to check their own property and report anything that was amiss or out of place.
The detailed forensic examination of Mr Kennedy’s home continued after police confirmed they had recovered ”items of interest” during the search of the area.
It emerged after Mr Kennedy’s death that he had been selling cut-price cigarettes from his home and one line of inquiry being pursued is that his death may have been due to a robbery going wrong.
Officers learned that people came and went from his house day and night and they have been interviewing his customers.
Mr Ogilvie said: ”I am not in the least bit interested in who did or didn’t buy cigarettes from that address. I am concerned with catching a killer and the information that is out there will help us to make strides towards that.”
Anyone who has information should call police on 0300 111 2222, or speak to any officer. There is also a line, on 01382 591941, which directs callers to the inquiry team during normal office hours and to the force communications centre outwith them.
It has been reported that Mr Kennedy’s house was broken into weeks before the killing, with the thief stealing a small amount of tobacco. A police spokesman said no complaint had been received by the force regarding such an incident at Mr Kennedy’s house.