Police encouraged by murder plea

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Police investigating the murder of an Aberdeen man have said they were "encouraged" by a direct appeal to public at the scene.

Christopher Branigan, 41, died after an incident in a common stairwell in Ritchie Place, last Tuesday.

Officers returned to the scene a week later and spoke to 150 people.

Grampian Police Det Insp Malcolm Stewart said: "We are encouraged by the response we have received and the volume of information."

He said: "We will now have to assess all the information we have gathered, in order to progress the inquiry."

Officers said they wanted to speak to a black man seen leaving the building at about 1900 BST on the day of Mr Branigan's death.

He was aged about 30, between 5ft 8in and 6ft, of athletic build and with shaved black hair. He wore dark clothing.

Relatives of Mr Branigan said they were left "heartbroken" by his death.