West Lothian crime: Murder inquiry launched following death of Livingston man on Bankton Lane

Gary Nicol, 50, from Livingston was found dead on Bankton Lane after police were called to a report of a man with serious injuries at around 2am on Thursday, September 26.

Mr Nicol’s death was being treated as unexplained following a post mortem examination on September 27. But after further enquiries by a team of specialist officers his death is now being treated as murder.

Gary Nicol was pronounced dead on September 26 after police were called to a report of an injured man in Bankton Lane in Livingston | Police Scotland

Mr Nicol's family are aware and are being supported by specially trained officers and have asked that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.

Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team are carrying out extensive enquiries into the ‘complex investigation’ alongside officers from the local division and operational support units.

Detectives have now established that Mr Nicol drove to Bankton Lane in his black Ford Mondeo car, arriving on the street at around midnight on Thursday, September 26. The registration of his car is GN02 GRN.

“It is vital that we get answers”

Police are now appealing for information and say ‘it is vital that we get answers’ for Gary Nicol’s family.

Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Pleasance, from Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team, said: "Our thoughts are with Mr Nicol's family and friends at this very difficult time.

"It is vital that we get answers for them and we are fully committed to tracing the person responsible as soon as possible. Our investigation into Mr Nicol’s death continues and I would urgently appeal to anyone with information who has not already spoken with us to please do so.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who saw a car of this description in the area around midnight or anyone or vehicles in and around the Bankton Lane area. We are trying to piece together Mr Nicol's movements prior to his body being found and would ask anyone with any information to contact officers.”

DCI Pleasance added: "This is a challenging investigation and any piece of information, no matter how small or insignificant you think it is, could prove vital so please do pass it on."

An online portal has been set up to encourage members of the public to submit information directly to detectives. The Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) is a website that gives the public access to a form so they can send information directly to the major incident teams based at the Scottish Crime Campus.

Local area commander Chief Inspector Elaine McArthur-Kerr, said: "We understand the significant impact this has had on the people of Livingston and there is a dedicated team of officers working on this investigation.

"I would like to reassure the community that officers are working hard to trace whoever is responsible, with CCTV footage being gathered from the surrounding area and door to door inquiries continuing.

"Detailed forensic work has been carried out and extensive searches of nearby woodland have been undertaken by specialist officers."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0278 of September 26.