A former neighbour of the the pensioner found dead in his remote Aberdeenshire home last night said he had always been there for her family.
Police have launched a murder investigation after Brian McKandie’s body was discovered at his Rothienorman home after a worried local raised the alarm.
The 32-year-old who lived next door to Mr McKandie for seven years, although moved away from Rothienorman last year.
She said although the mechanic was a “quiet” man, he was always happy and willing to help out those in need.
She said: “I remember a few years ago I accidentally locked my son in the car, and Brian was my go-to.
“He went through the back window with a coat-hanger and hooked the lock, and we took him round some treats – just chocolates and whisky and stuff, which he tried to refuse.
“He was always happy, but if there was anything needed, like a pipe burst or something like that, he would always go round and fix it for free.”
The woman said that as part of the murder inquiry, officers had been in touch with anyone who knew him in an effort to piece together what happened last weekend.
Police have also advised her friends in Rothienorman to keep their homes, cars and valuables safely locked up – which she claimed has created a “sinister” atmosphere around the community.
She added: “There’s four houses there and a nursing home, you’ve just got to think – what’s going on? It’s a bit surreal really.
“People move out to the country for a quiet lifestyle, and then you have something horrible like this happen.
