A millionaire financier’s ex-groundsman died when a shotgun pellet lodged in his heart and sparked cardiac arrest, it has emerged.
Police launched a murder investigation 10 days after Brian Low, 65, was found with fatal gunshot wounds when he was out taking his Labrador for a walk.
He was discovered in the Pitilie area on the outskirts of Aberfeldy, Perthshire, at around 8.30am on February 17 and emergency services were called but he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Low used to tend to the nearby Edradynate Estate, owned by Michael Campbell MBE, who paid tribute to his former groundsman today.
A police source said that officers originally treated Mr Low’s death as non suspicious, believing he had suffered a heart attack.
But now the death of Mr Low, from Aberfeldy, is being treated as murder after a post-mortem examination.
The death of Brian Low, from Aberfeldy, is being treated as murder. Pictured is the scene today
A police source said that officers originally treated Mr Low’s death as non suspicious, believing he had suffered a heart attack
Businessman Michael Campbell MBE (pictured) owns the nearby Edradynate Estate where Mr Low had worked. Now, the financier has sent ‘deepest condolences’ to Mr Low’s family
A police officer pictured today talking with a postman at the site where Mr Low was found
Police and forensics are examining the remote footpath where the body was found
The cordon put in place by Police Scotland where Mr Low was found fatally shot
Mr Low had tended the grounds for Mr Campbell on the Edradynate Estate (pictured)
A Pitilie sign by the track that leads to the site where Mr Low was found
Detectives are scouring the nearby area and have appealed for witnesses to help piece together the mystery behind Mr Low’s shock death.
A police source said that when the ex-groundsman’s body was removed and taken for a post mortem examination, a small pellet was found lodged in his heart, which is believed to have caused him to go into cardiac arrest and die.
The source said the pellet was tiny and there was “very little, if any” blood found at the scene.
Investigating officers are said to have been stunned at the examination results, and this is why it’s taken so long to launch a murder investigation.
Mr Low had spent 20 years working for wealthy businessman Michael Campbell MBE on the nearby Edradynate Estate until last year.
Now, the financier has sent ‘deepest condolences’ to Mr Low’s family.
A spokesperson for Mr Campbell told MailOnline: ‘Further to the extremely sad news of the death of Brian Low; we can confirm that Brian worked for the Estate as a groundsman and retired from his role in February 2023.
‘We send our deepest condolences to Brian’s family. We have no further comment to make at this time.’
Mr Campbell is the Chairman of the Ellis Campbell Foundation, a family business of property investment companies, and has worked with numerous charities over the course of his life.
He is a former Vice-Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, and a trustee of the Hampshire Gardens Trust and the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust.
He is said to love ‘escaping’ to his Perthshire family estate, which was where Mr Low worked for around 20 years.
The Sun reports that the estate has been involved in at least four police probes, including in 2018 when a gamekeeper was accused and later cleared of poisoning crops on the estate in the middle of the night after having a row with Mr Campbell.
A police car is seen in the Pitilie area after a 65-year-old man was shot dead on February 17
Following a post-mortem examination, the death is being treated as murder and detectives are appealing for anyone with information to contact them
A spokesman for Edradynate Estate told The Times: ‘He worked for us for about 20 years and was much liked and much respected and we’re very, very shocked about the news.
‘He was lovely. A good chap, a very nice chap. Hard-working. He wouldn’t say boo to a goose. He’s a nice guy so very sad, very sad news.’
The Sun was told that those on the estate were ‘very sad and shocked’ by the disturbing events. A spokesman added: ‘I have known him for many years and he worked with us until around this time last year.
‘We do not know what happened. We knew he had died obviously but this news has created another level of shock.’
The Pitilie area is around three miles south of the estate, and just outside of Aberfeldy.
The area of Perth and Kinross is also recognised for its salmon fishing in the River Tay and its distilleries such as Dewars.
One stunned resident wrote on social media: ‘Wow this is so sad, it’s something that is so out of place in the community. Let’s hope the police find the person responsible.’
Detective Chief Inspector Martin Macdougall, of the Major Investigation Team, said: ‘Our thoughts are with Brian’s family at this very difficult time and we are doing all we can to get them answers.
‘We have been carrying out extensive inquiries since Brian’s death and detectives are working alongside uniformed officers to establish the full circumstances.
‘Our inquiries have so far have revealed that Brian was out walking his black Labrador along a remote track shortly before 8.30am when he was fatally shot.
‘Although this is a remote location, we would be keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time.
‘I am also appealing directly to the local community, who might have information that could help.
A Police Scotland vehicle at the site where the body of Brian Low was found earlier this month
Emergency services attended but Mr Low, from Aberfeldy, was pronounced dead at the scene
‘Anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant they feel it may be, should come forward and speak to detectives.
‘Please do not assume that the police already know the information you have.’
Police Scotland said that a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.
The force said there will be a police presence in the area over the coming days and anyone with concerns can make contact with officers.
Local area commander Greg Burns said: ‘I understand this is an extremely concerning incident for this small, rural community.
‘I want to take this opportunity to reassure people that we are working round the clock to find out what happened to Brian.
‘We will have additional high-visibility patrols in the area and you will see significant police activity over the coming days.
‘Anyone with any concerns can approach these officers at any time.’
Perthshire North MSP John Swinney said: ‘This is a devastating and serious announcement and I express my sympathy to the family of Brian Low.
‘This incident will shock the community in Aberfeldy and will understandably cause public concern.
‘I have spoken with Police Scotland and sought reassurance that an appropriate police presence will be in place to ensure community safety.
‘In these terrible circumstances I urge anyone with relevant information to contact Police Scotland.’
Police can be contacted on 101, quoting incident number 0884 of February 17, or information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
In 2018. the police investigated a scandal at the Edradynate Estate after three dogs and two birds of prey were poisoned.
Mr Campbell’s estate offered a £5,000 reward for information at the time, labelling to incidents ‘appalling’.
In 2002, two Edradynate gamekeepers walked free from court after they were accused of bird poisoning charges, but the case was dropped. There were nine charges against David Cambell and Neil Smith, including the use of spring traps.
Campbell was accused of carrying out the attack for revenge against the financier, who told Perth Sheriff Court their friendship had deteriorated to the point of ‘severe antagonism’.