West Lothian village 'devastated' and in shock following double death in property

A village community in West Lothian has been stricken with grief and disbelief following the discovery of the bodies of a six-year-old girl and a 36-year old man in a residential property.

West Calder, which is described by locals as a tight knit and safe community, was rocked by the news on Harburn Drive on Monday January 20. Cordons have been erected through the maze-like scheme which sits overlooking Parkhead Primary School.

Local Marlyn Williamson has lived in the area for 50 years and said this is an event that could cause long lasting trauma for those living in the village. The 53 year-old said she would often look out of her window and see children playing happily in the streets, not stuck inside on consoles, a tradition that’s lasted from Marlyn’s childhood.

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But she fears a darkness has descended on the households of Harburn Drive and the surrounding areas, with an eerie atmosphere threatening to become long lasting and hard hitting. Neighbours have spoken of picking their children up from school and keeping them indoors.

A once safe neighbourhood has been left feeling uncertain and on edge. With that being said, she commented on the way everyone has come together to support one another despite the mutual shellshock reverberating through West Calder.

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“When I heard what happened I felt horrible,” Marlyn said. “It happened so close to home and I think it’ll always be something which sticks with us in the future, it won’t go away and there will always be a community trauma.

“My mum was beside herself last night, when she walked up the stairs to go to bed she was tapping the pictures of our family on the wall. As a whole community we are shocked, there are a lot of young families and there are a lot of them who must have had to pass all those police and the cordon.

“In the summer you always see all the kids playing outside, there is a feeling everyone looks out for them and it is so good to see. But that could all change now. There is a worry kids may seem fine now but the impact will be felt years down the line. I worry the freedom we have all enjoyed growing up could be lost for this generation.

“I’m absolutely devastated, I personally don’t have kids but there are a lot of young children in my family and I worry how hard it is going to hit them and others. Some of them must have lost a friend or could have gone to school with the young girl.

“How does a parent talk about this and explain what has happened, especially if they have just lost a friend? West Calder is grief stricken, there were a few people I have spoken to who were in tears.

“I do not know how we get through this as a community, it is going to be a devastating few years and it may well end up being something people don’t talk about. I can’t believe this has happened on our doorstep, I can’t accept it and don’t want to believe it.

“It has had a massive impact on families, a friend told me they were not sure if they could send their child to school and a lot of others are worried about their kids walking to school with the uncertainty.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to friends and family of the young girl. When I pass the house of the little girl I say a silent prayer.”

Marlyn described West Calder as an amazing place to live and grow up, somewhere where everybody knew everybody and there was a feeling of immense security, so much so, she would often camp out with family and friends overnight in the middle of the scheme. But she commented on an eeriness which has descended on the village following the harrowing discovery of two bodies inside a home.

“I was out feeding the birds and I could see the fire engine from my door and the kids coming home from school,” she said. “Another neighbour joined us and we saw the fire brigade putting the back door in. Blue lights and sirens were going off everywhere and more and more showed up.

“I went out and came home at around midnight last night. I could see CiD and forensics, I then thought something really horrible had happened. The next day CiD were still there and I saw an officer approach a colleague asking for someone to take over as his head could not comprehend what had happened. That stuck with me.

“There is an eeriness about West Calder, normally you open your front door and there is a vibe but today you can feel the energy is not there, it’s just really tough. I think families will be sitting wondering what's going on? They’ll hug their wee ones at night in their houses and their own family units, and that's how we'll all stay for a while just to get that feeling of security.

“I’m worried this could lead to PTSD for the community. When the notification popped up saying it was a six-year-old girl, I had to go to the side because it made me feel emotional. I didn’t want to go back home because I’m going to have to pass the house and I know what was found inside.

“You just never have anything like this here.”

The deaths of the six-year-old and 36-year-old are being treated as unexplained and post mortem examinations will take place in due course. Their relatives are aware and are being supported by specialist officers. Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

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Chief Inspector Elaine McArthur-Kerr, local area commander, said: "We understand this incident may be very upsetting and worrying for the people living in this community and would ask anyone with any concerns to speak to us.

"A police presence will remain in the area while we carry out investigations and anyone with any concerns, or information, can approach these officers."