The Keiss 'murder-suicide' on Sunday afternoon has come as a shock to the entire Caithness community, according to the leader of Highland Council.

Raymond Bremner said his thoughts were with everyone affected by the case which left two people dead.

He was speaking as police continued their investigations into the death of a 74-year-old man in the village on Sunday. The body of a 39-year-old woman linked to the incident was found later that day within the grounds of Keiss Castle.

The man's death is being treated as murder and the woman is believed to have taken her life at the driveway of the 18th century castle. A search was seen being conducted by coastguard personnel near the ruins of the older Keiss Castle which dates from the 16th century. Detectives say there is no risk to the wider public.

Related article:

Woman's body found on Keiss Castle grounds after murder in village

Councillor Bremner, who represents Wick and East Caithness, referred to the case during a meeting of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council on Monday night.

"Even though it's an ongoing police incident just now, there's no doubt that the whole community in Caithness, especially on the east side, will have been shocked by what has happened," he said.

"Our thoughts and our condolences will be with the folk that are affected by this and the whole community in Keiss will be very much in our thoughts.

"I can't imagine what some of the community there are going through. It wouldn't be appropriate at this moment in time to make any further comment while there is a live police investigation."

Fellow councillor for the same ward, Jan McEwan, said: "Such a tragedy in a small community. My thoughts at this time are with both their family and friends."

Police Scotland has not yet provided updates from its comment issued on Monday in which detective chief inspector Brian Geddes said: “Following concerns being raised, around 12.05am on Sunday, 2 July the body of a 74-year-old man was found within a property at Robertson Crescent in Keiss. His death is being treated as murder.

“The body of a 39-year-old woman was found within the grounds of Keiss Castle around 8pm on the same day during a police search. An investigation is ongoing but we are treating these incidents as linked and contained, with no risk to the wider public.

“A police presence will remain in the area while our investigation continues."

Gallery1

The Caithness Courier witnessed a huge search for the missing woman, just after 5pm on Sunday, around Keiss harbour and Sinclair's Bay. The police-led operation involved Wick lifeboat and coastguard teams from Scrabster, Duncansby and Melvich along with an Inverness-based rescue helicopter. The search operation was stood down after the woman's body was discovered.

Emma Fairweather, who lives close to the house at Robertson Crescent where the 74-year-old was killed, witnessed the police activity on Sunday. "There was five cars, two vans and an ambulance there at one o’clock going in and out the house – then they were searching all the gardens round about there."

Police tape around the house and a temporary incident tent set up in the property's back garden appear to have now been removed.

Names of the deceased have not been released but some locals had seen the same man visit the house before and it was speculated that the two may be related. A local man who did not wish to be identified said that the woman appeared to be "troubled".

"She was always polite to me on the few occasions we crossed paths but I did witness her having an altercation with someone in Thurso," he said.

"She noticeably had mental health issues but seemed to get on well with children. She'd go to the park with her dog and teach the kids to do handstands and stuff like that." He thought that she had not been living in the village long – probably less than a year. "It was a great surprise when I heard what happened. I really didn't expect that."

Many took to social media to express their feelings with one woman saying "Can’t believe this how sad her mental health was not good" and another "Omg what’s going on the world".