WATCH: 'Suspicious' death arrest after remains identified as Fife man
61-year-old Ean Coutts lived in Kinglassie before his remains were found at an industrial estate in Glenrothes.
Last updated 13th Jan 2021
Detectives have revealed the identity of remains discovered at the Whitehill Industrial Estate in Glenrothes last September as those of a 61-year-old man from Fife.
Police are treating the death of Ean Coutts as suspicious, and investigators confirm a 30-year-old man has been arrested in connection with his death and released - pending further enquiries.
Personnel from Police Scotland are searching a number of addresses in the Glenrothes and Kinglassie areas, while Mr Coutts' family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
The development comes after the release of a facial reconstruction created by experts at Liverpool John Moores University, which was used in a public appeal for information to help identify the remains.
Detectives say enquiries into what happened to Ean Coutts are 'ongoing.'
People who knew Mr Coutts have commented on social media that they believed he had moved away, with some saying they thought he was living abroad.
Our senior reporter, Bryan Rutherford added: "Neighbours describe Ean as 'a nice pleasant' and 'polite' man...'a really nice guy' who 'wouldn't hurt a fly.'
"And there's shock and sadness in the village where police have been searching the property where the 61-year-old was last known to live.
"Many believed Mr Coutts had moved away - some even saying they thought he lived abroad.
"But the truth's now out that his remains lay at an industrial park in Glenrothes - a matter of miles away from his last known home address."
Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Houliston, from Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team, commented: "We received a significant number of responses following release of the facial reconstruction and I would like to thank all those who contacted us.
"This has allowed us to identify the man as Ean Coutts and my thoughts are with his family at this time. Ean had lived in Kinglassie for a number of years and was well known in the village.
"We are treating his death as suspicious and officers will be carrying out enquiries in and around the Kinglassie and Glenrothes areas as part of our ongoing investigation.
"It Is vital that we establish the events leading up to his death to provide answers to his family.
"I am appealing to anyone who knew Ean, who may have had any contact with him from around August, 2019, and anyone who has information that could assist with our investigation to contact us as a matter of urgency."
Anyone who can help is asked to make contact by calling 101, quoting incident number 2692 of Sunday, 27 September, 2020, emailing operationrimau@scotland.pnn.police.uk or through the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) website via https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT20S26-PO1
Alternatively, anyone wishing to pass information anonymously can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.