Stuart Walker was beaten and set on
fire in what is feared to be Scotland's worst anti-gay hate crime.
Walker, a 28-year-old bartender from
Cumnock in Ayrshire, suffered a horrific attack that took his life
over the weekend. His partially clothed charred remains were found
at the side of the road on Saturday.
Police said they could not rule out
that Walker was the victim of a homophobic attack.
“Stuart had been out with friends in
the Cumnock area earlier during the night and was last seen alive by
a family friend near to the fire station in Glaisnock Street around
2:30AM hours on Saturday morning – nearly two and a half hours
before he was found,” said Detective Inspector John Hogg, who is
leading the inquiry.
Chief Superintendent John Thomson of
Strathclyde Police added: “I can confirm it was a very violent and
sustained attack on Stuart. I do not believe at this stage that this
was a random attack. There may be the possibility he knew his
attacker or attackers.”
Police described family and friends as
“devastated” by their loss.
An unnamed aunt told The
Independent: “He was so loveable, popular and friendly. He had
a little sister who he loved dearly.”