Murder investigation after man found dead in Renfrew common close

A murder inquiry has been launched after a man died in a common close in Renfrew after being attacked.

Alastair Campbell was pronounced dead within a tenement on Renfield Street at around 3am on October 30.

Police say he was assaulted on the street by two men shortly beforehand.

Following a post mortem examination on Wednesday, police confirmed the 52-year-old’s death was being treated as murder.

Alastair Campbell was pronounced dead at the scene on Renfrew's Renfield Street at around 3am on Monday morning. — Alastair Campbell was pronounced dead at the scene on Renfrew’s Renfield Street at around 3am on Monday morning. STV News

Detectives said Mr Campbell was attacked by two men on Renfield Street at its junction of Wilson Street, at around 1am on the same morning.

They were last seen running towards towards Houston Street, in Renfrew Town Centre. Both are described as white, and one was wearing a dark tracksuit and dark trainers, while the other had on either a light grey or khaki jacket, dark trousers and dark trainers.

Officers confirmed on Tuesday that a 35-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the death but was later released.

Detective chief inspector Graham McCreadie, from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: “From our enquiries so far, we now know that Alastair was seriously assaulted by two men on Renfield Street at the junction of Wilson Street around 1am.

“The two suspects then ran off along Wilson Street towards Houston Street in Renfrew Town Centre.

“We believe both men to be white; one was wearing a dark tracksuit and dark trainers, and the other had on either a light grey or khaki jacket, dark trousers and dark trainers.

“We’d appeal to anyone who was in either Renfrew Town Centre or Renfield Street between 0.40am and 3am on Monday morning and saw anything that may assist our investigation, to get in touch. We’re also keen to get a hold of any dash cam, private CCTV or doorbell footage from around that time.

“An online portal that gives members of the public access to a form to send information directly to the Major Investigation Team has been set up. This can be accessed by clicking the following link.

“Alastair’s family and friends will continue to be supported throughout our enquiries. It’s vital we find out exactly what happened to him and I’m appealing to the public for help to do that. If you have any information that may assist officers with their enquiries, then please get in touch as soon as you can.”

Information can be passed to police via the online portal, by calling 101 and quoting reference 0243 of October 30, 2023 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.