POLICE investigating the murder of a Stewarton woman say her death may be linked to a fire which left her partner serious wounded.
Andrena Douglas was found dead in her home in Crusader Crescent Stewarton, Ayrshire, by police officers around 6.20am on Thursday morning (June 9).
An hour before the 53-year-old's body was discovered police were called to reports of a fire half a mile away at Peacockbank Farm at around 5.15am, where they found Ms Douglas's partner suffering from serious burns.
Officers left the scene of the fire and headed to Ms Douglas's home to inform her that her partner had been found critically ill when they discovered her body.
Police Scotland have since confirmed the two incidents could be linked and following a post mortem on Friday, June 10, a murder inquiry has been launched into the death of Ms Douglas.
Detective Inspector Martin Fergus, of the major investigation team, said: “Officers had attended at Ms Douglas’s home to inform her that her partner had been found seriously injured following a fire at nearby Peacockbank Farm, Stewarton, around 5.15amn Thursday, June, but they found her dead in the house.
“We are currently following a number of lines of enquiry regarding both incidents and whilst at this time we cannot link Ms Douglas’s death and the fire in which her partner was injured, we also cannot rule it out.
"However, it is imperative that people do not make assumptions as this may seriously hinder our enquiry.
DI Fergus says he wants to establish what happened between 8pm on Wednesday June 8 - when Ms Douglas was last seen - and the time her body was found the following day.
“What we need to do is establish what happened between 8pm on Wednesday, June 8 when Ms Douglas was last seen and 6am on Thursday morning (June 9) when she was found.
“To this end, I would appeal to anyone who was in the area, who may have seen any suspicious activity – whether that be a vehicle or someone on foot in the area – to contact police.
“The man injured in the fire is still critically ill in hospital and so far we have been unable to talk to him. 
“How and why the fire started has still to be established and a joint investigation between police and Scottish Fire and Rescue is underway.
“If anyone has information about the murder or the fire, then please contact the incident room Kilmarnock Police Office on 01563 525 172, or via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.”