A FAMILY of a young boy who tragically died in an incident at a home in Perthshire have told of their "devastation" saying he was "dearly loved by all".

Kane Morris, 10, was found dead at a flat in Union Street, Coupar Angus in the early hours of Sunday morning.

An eight-year-old girl, who was also found in the flat, was rushed to hospital, where she was on Monday said to be "critical but stable".

A man was found injured outside.

A 37-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Kane’s family said: “Kane was a popular young boy within the community, he was full of energy and loved dearly by all."

The Herald:

Photo: PA

Kane attended the local primary school where he took part in school plays and twice won the Coupar Angus' Got Talent contest.

The family continued: “As you can understand, this is a devastating experience for us as a family. Although we appreciate all your well wishes, we ask for privacy at this highly sensitive time.”

The boy's mother, Laura Anne Gillie, 39, is a nurse at NHS Tayside.

The incident happened at a former Royal Bank of Scotland building that had been converted to flats.

Detective Inspector Ross Fitzgerald from the major investigation team said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts at this time remain with those involved.

The Herald:

“Our enquiries are ongoing and the community will continue to see a police presence in the area while these are progressed. We appreciate this has been a very traumatic incident for those involved and the impact this has had on the local community. 

“While our enquiries are ongoing, we do believe this was an isolated and contained incident. I’d like to thank the community for their patience and understanding as our investigation continues. Local officers will be conducting patrols if anyone with concerns wishes to speak to them.”

One of Kane’s teachers told a local radio station how the 10-year-old was “full of life” and had a “mischievous little smile”.

She told Tay FM: “One of the keenest pupils was Kane. He was just so full of life and keen to learn and there was always a mischievous little smile on his face.

“And he really did love life. He lived it to the most, he was such an eager keen little boy.”

Floral tributes and teddy bears had been left outside Kane's primary school on Monday morning.

One acknowledged his success in local talent competitions, saying: “You were the dance king and P6 will miss you”.

Another read: “Some wee souls are just too beautiful for this world.”
The events Sunday prompted an outpouring of grief from the community. 

Church leaders said the town’s Abbey Church was going to be open from 6pm on Monday for mourners to come together and pray for both the youngsters and their families.

Reverend Andrew Graham said ahead of tonight’s gathering: “It’s really just about providing a space for people to come and be together. I often find that just by being together ... there’s a sense of sharing the grief and the pain.”

The Herald:

Forensics at scene of house where Kane Morris was found dead (Photo: PA)

Police cordoned off a 500-yard stretch from the block of flats as scenes-of-crime officers moved in.

A top floor window was seen to be lying open.

Beekeper Murray McGregor, who runs Dunrosa Apiaries and has hives close to the building said he had been called to Coupar Angus where he saw "police everywhere" found the street sealed off and was denied access.

"It was a shock," said Mr McGregor, a former chairman of the Bee Farmers Association.  "We have been there for 25 years and nothing like this has happened before."

The events of the day prompted an outpouring of grief from the community.  

One local said: “Another tragic incident to rock the Coupar community to the core. Thoughts are with the poor kids involved, their families and friends on such a sad, sad day. Sleep easy little lad, and best wishes for [the girl].”

As several floral tributes were placed near the cordon, Perthshire North MSP John Swinney said the incident had left him “horrified”.

“This is devastating news and my heart goes out to the children and their family and friends,” said the Deputy First Minister.