Double murder probe launched after two deaths in Glasgow

Police Scotland has launched a double murder investigation after Paul Lafferty, 50, and Gary Beaton, 54, were found dead in a flat on Chancellor Street, Glasgow, in Partick at about 16:40 on Sunday. Post-mortems on Monday and Tuesday confirmed both deaths as murder, and detectives believe a knife was used during the incident.

Police Scotland is treating the two deaths as murder and has appealed for anyone with information to come forward. A large police presence remains in the Partick area as the investigation continues.

Key Takeaways

• Paul Lafferty, 50, and Gary Beaton, 54, were found dead in a Chancellor Street flat in Partick, Glasgow, on Sunday afternoon.
• Post-mortem examinations on Monday and Tuesday confirmed both deaths as murder; police believe a knife was used.
• Detectives are keeping an open mind about whether one or more people were involved.
• The last confirmed sighting of either man was on Friday morning; police want witnesses from 09:00 that day onwards.
• Officers have reviewed hours of CCTV footage and door-to-door enquiries are continuing.

What happened on Chancellor Street, Glasgow?

Officers were called to a property on Chancellor Street in Partick on Sunday at around 16:40. Inside the flat they found Paul Lafferty and Gary Beaton. Both men were dead at the scene.

Police Scotland said it was treating the two deaths as murder following post-mortem examinations that took place on Monday and Tuesday. Detectives from the Major Investigation Team are leading the inquiry.

Detective Superintendent Cheryl Kelly said it was vital to trace whoever was responsible. She added that a significant amount of resources had been dedicated to the inquiry and that a large police presence would remain in the area.

According to the BBC, detectives believe a knife was used during the incident. Police said they were keeping an open mind about whether there was one killer or more than one.

Who were the victims and how were they connected?

Police Scotland named the victims as Paul Lafferty, 50, and Gary Beaton, 54. The Chancellor Street property where their bodies were found was the home of one of the two men. The force confirmed that Lafferty and Beaton knew each other.

Superintendent Craig Brady extended sympathies to the families and friends of both men as they tried to come to terms with their loss. He said police understood the significant impact the deaths would have on the local community.

The last sighting of either man was on Friday morning, before they were discovered in the flat on Sunday afternoon. Investigators are working to build a timeline between those two points.

What is Police Scotland asking witnesses to do?

Detectives are urging anyone who knew Paul Lafferty or Gary Beaton to contact the investigation team. They also want to hear from people who were in the Partick area near Chancellor Street from 09:00 on Friday morning.

Police are particularly interested in anyone who saw either man, or who saw or heard anything suspicious, during that period. Detective Superintendent Kelly stressed that even small details could matter.

She said: "Please do not assume that the police already know the information you have." A major incident public portal has been launched as part of the investigation to help gather information from the public.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland. The force has appealed directly to the public and thanked residents for their help so far.

How is the double murder investigation progressing?

Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team is leading the inquiry with support from local officers. Investigators have trawled hours of public and private CCTV footage and door-to-door enquiries are continuing across Partick.

Detective Superintendent Kelly said the force was fully committed to tracing whoever was responsible. Superintendent Brady thanked everyone in the community for their help so far as enquiries continue.

Officers have encouraged anyone with concerns or information to speak directly to police on the ground. Kelly said a large police presence would remain in the Partick area while the investigation continues.

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Why does this case matter for the Partick community?

The deaths of Paul Lafferty and Gary Beaton in a flat on Chancellor Street, Glasgow, have sent shock through Partick. Superintendent Brady said police understood the significant impact the case would have on the local community.

Detective Superintendent Kelly appealed directly to anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. She urged people not to assume police already had the details they hold.

Police have not released further details about suspects or a motive. The investigation remains active, and authorities say tracing those responsible is their top priority.