Police were called to a Stirling care facility two days before a worker died in an alleged stabbing.
Cops confirmed they attended Craighall Court, Raploch, on Sunday, March 5, amid reports of concern for a person. After an investigation, the individual was left in the care of support services.
Care manager Michele Rutherford, 54, died following a disturbance at the residential facility for vulnerable adults at 11am on Tuesday, March 7. Two members of staff, aged 29 and 58, were also injured during the incident.
Kellyanne McNaughton, 32, appeared in private at Stirling Sheriff Court on Thursday charged with murder. She was also charged with assaulting and injuring two other workers at the home. She made no plea and was remanded into custody.
The care home remained sealed off by police on Thursday morning. Floral tributes were laid at the scene.
A resident of Craighall Court told the Record: "I can’t believe it. Michele was a lovely woman. She’s done so much for this place and always wanted to help. She was caring and did a lot of good work.
"Everyone is shocked. We never expected anything like this to happen here." The sister of a resident living at the facility said staff and residents were still trying to come to terms with Michele's death.
She added: “Michele was so genuine and just a really lovely, placid woman. She’s been here since the beginning and was always looking out for my sister. I know she’ll miss her very much.
“We’ve not told her she’s gone yet as I just don’t know how to break the tragic news. It’s heartbreaking.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On the night of Sunday, 5 March, 2023, police attended a concern for person call in the Craighall Street area of Stirling. The individual was left in the care of support services.”
Detective Inspector Scott Roxburgh said: “Our thoughts very much remain with Michele’s loved ones at this time, along with everyone else involved in this incident.”
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