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Death of Janet Methven in Forteviot treated as 'suspicious' Death of Janet Methven in Forteviot treated as 'suspicious'
(about 1 hour later)
The death of an elderly woman in her Perthshire village home is being treated as suspicious, police have confirmed.The death of an elderly woman in her Perthshire village home is being treated as suspicious, police have confirmed.
Eighty-year-old Janet Methven, known as Jenny, was found dead by a family member at about 17:15 on Monday. Eighty-year-old Janet Methven, known as Jenny, was found seriously injured by a family member at about 17:15 on Monday.
Police were called to her cottage, in Forteviot between Bridge of Earn and Dunning, by the ambulance service. Paramedics were called to Kildinny Cottage, an isolated house on the B935, about a mile east of Forteviot, but were unable to save her.
Forensic officers have been carrying out a "full and detailed" examination of the detached house. A post-mortem examination is due to take place on Wednesday.
Mrs Methven was said to be well known in the area and was often seen out walking her dogs. Forensic officers have spent the past day carrying out a "full and detailed" search of the scene and police have been making door-to-door inquiries at other houses in the area.
Det Ch Insp Colin Gall, who is leading the investigation, asked the public to get in touch if they had any information about Mrs Methven's death. It is understood that Mrs Methven was found by her son.
''We would appeal to anyone who has been in the Forteviot area in recent days, particularly drivers who regularly use the route through there, to contact as they may have information that could prove valuable," he said. The scene outside Jenny Methven's cottage is jarring to the eye.
''I would also ask local residents to think hard as to whether they have seen anything suspicious at all in the area in recent days, whether a person or a vehicle. At the edge of a ploughed field, fringed by bare winter trees, a major police inquiry is under way.
"Again, it could prove to be of great assistance to our investigation.'' Inch by inch, officers have been searching the neat front lawn of the cottage, using torches to check underneath a small outhouse and wooden poles to nudge away stones.
Detectives are also carrying out door-to-door inquiries in the area. Forensic scientists in white suits have been in and out of the building: finding, labelling and removing packages containing evidence.
Outside, under grey skies, washing still blows on the line.
Police are not yet describing this as a murder inquiry but it looks like one.
Tayside Police said she was "liked and respected" in the local community and could often be seen wearing a fluorescent yellow jacket while walking her two-year-old spaniel.
Detectives are now trying to piece together Mrs Methven's last known movements and said they were hopeful someone would have seen her in the hours before her death. She was last heard from at 10:30 on Monday when someone spoke to her on the phone.
Det Ch Insp Colin Gall, who is leading the investigation, said Mrs Methven would have been "distinctive" to any passers-by in her yellow jacket.
''We want to know if she was out and about on Monday and to this end need to hear from any drivers or walkers who were in the area between Dunning and Bridge of Earn who may have seen her," he said.
''Similarly, we would appeal to anyone who was been in the Forteviot area or on the adjacent A9 to consider whether they saw anything suspicious or out of place.
"Was there a vehicle that gave them pause for thought, or were they concerned by the behaviour of an individual in the area?
''If you were within or near to the Forteviot area yesterday and saw anything suspicious call us, as you might have information useful to our enquiries.''
The force said it would send extra officers to the area over the next few days to reassure local residents.