Murder Victim Found In River Suffered Violent Assault

A man whose body was discovered in a river was murdered in a violent assault, police said.

The body of Darryl Fitch was recovered from a stretch of the River Gryffe, known as Locher Water, in Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, at around 7.55pm on Monday.

It is believed Mr Fitch, 43, from Paisley, had been camping in the area since Friday and police said another man who was camping with him was also injured and is being treated in hospital.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Boyd, the officer leading the inquiry, said Mr Fitch had "sustained a violent assault''.

He said: "Mr Fitch was believed to have been camping or fishing in the area with a friend since Friday July 10. The friend, a 37-year-old man from Paisley, had also sustained an injury and is currently in hospital receiving treatment.

"Investigations are continuing but right now I do not know if the death of Mr Fitch and the injury this man suffered are connected.

"I need the public's help to build up a picture of Mr Fitch's movements between Friday and Monday. Who he was with, who he met.''

Mr Boyd appealed for help from the local community or anyone visiting Locher Water at the time.

"The area is popular with joggers, cyclists and families enjoying the water and surrounding pathways and I am appealing to anyone who was in that area between those dates to come forward,'' he said.

"I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the area camping or fishing or who knows of anyone who may have been camping or fishing in this area during this time.''

Mr Fitch was found in the water close to Crosslee Road and police have set up an incident caravan nearby.