Tayside Police can confirm that they are treating the death of 80-year-old Forteviot woman Janet Methven as murder.

A post mortem was carried out in Dundee during Wednesday which confirmed that Mrs Methven – known as Jenny – had sustained injuries to her head and body.

Mrs Methven was found dead by her son at the cottage they shared at Kildinny Farm at about 5.15pm on Monday (Feb 20). An ambulance was called and paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.

This afternoon (Wed Feb 22) her son, David Methven, expressed his gratitude for the support given by the local community and appealed for information to help establish what had happened to his mother.

He said:

"I am absolutely devastated at the death of my mother. As well as being a wonderful mother, she was an extremely generous person - someone who was a true friend to others and always willing to give her energies and time freely.

"I miss her desperately and would appeal to anyone who can assist Tayside Police with their enquiries to get in touch with them.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank local residents and others who have expressed their sympathies and sorrow at what has happened. Their kind words do offer some comfort and I am grateful for that.

"I also appreciate the media's interest and would ask them to continue to support the police investigation to establish what has happened. However, I would also ask that they provide me with space and time to grieve in private."

Earlier, the man leading the police investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Colin Gall appealed for the assistance of householders and businesses in the Strathearn valley.

He hopes that a number of private properties and business premises in the area will have CCTV system that might hold footage that could assist the enquiry.

Police enquiries continued for a second day at the cottage today (Wed), with officers undertaking further detailed forensic examination within the address, along with extensive searches of the grounds around Mrs Methven’s home, which lies between Bridge of Earn and Dunning.

Door to door enquiries continued in the surrounding area and a policing presence is being maintained in the coming days to provide reassurance for local residents who are encouraged to speak with officers

Detective Chief Inspector Gall said:

"As our enquiries develop, I appeal to the communities of this part of rural Perthshire to come to our assistance. CCTV could play an invaluable role in our investigation, but clearly, given the geography of the area, this is a challenging task in itself.

"I appeal to householders and businesses in the Strathearn valley to call us if they have private CCTV systems. That includes Forteviot and Forgandenny locally, out to Perth, Auchterarder and Glenfarg. In fact all areas extending out to and around the A9 and M90. You can help us.

"Your cameras may have picked up vital information in respect of who was in the area on Monday and that could help our enquiries. It is vital that we capture this coverage now before it is lost to us (certain systems re-record over previous footage). Call us and we will come to you."

Mrs Methven was last spoken with at about 10.30am when he had a conversation over the phone with a friend.

She was very well-known, liked and respected within the local community and could often be seen in a fluorescent yellow jacket while walking her two-year-old spaniel.

Tayside Police hopes that someone has seen Jenny during the day on Monday and can assist in piecing together her last known movements.

Officers want to establish her movements during Monday and to hear from any drivers or walkers who were in the area between Dunning and Bridge of Earn who may have seen her.

Equally Tayside Police wants to hear from anyone who has been in the Strathearn valley area who may have seen anything suspicious, whether it be a person or vehicle.

There has been speculation that Mrs Methven’s suspicious death may in some way be connected to other crimes that have been committed recently in Perthshire, including thefts, housebreakings and bogus callers.

DCI Gall said:

"We are acutely aware of these other crimes and the concerns that the communities have with regard to them. It is for the enquiry team to establish whether any connection exists, but our initial enquiries have not revealed any signs of a forced entry or property being stolen from the cottage. Nevertheless it is vital that we keep an open mind and resist ruling anything in or out of our enquiries."

Anyone who can assist Tayside Police should call 0300 111 2222, or speak to their local officer.

Alternatively information can be passed anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.