Dog Walker Murder: Police Blunder Delayed Justice

Brian Low was fatally shot by a former colleague, David Campbell, whose hatred had developed over years. Discovered on a remote country path near Aberfeldy, Low's body was initially not treated as suspicious. Police only realized it was murder days later when gunshot pellets were found, and a post-mortem confirmed the cause of death. This significant delay meant crucial evidence, such as footprints and CCTV footage, may have been lost. The crime scene cordon wasn't established for six days after Low's body was found on February 17, 2024. The murder inquiry was launched ten days after the discovery, with a press conference acknowledging police "blunders." Campbell, a retired gamekeeper, harbored a decades-old grudge against Low, stemming from an incident involving alleged bird poisoning where Low had apparently informed the police. Despite Campbell's arrest three months after the killing, the prosecution built a circumstantial case due to potential missed forensic opportunities. Campbell was found guilty of murder after a 15-day trial at the High Court in Glasgow and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 19 years. Low's family expressed anger and sadness over the police's initial handling of the case, questioning how such critical errors could have occurred.