Fort William Man Charged with Castlemilk Murder, 2026

Key Points

• A 56-year-old man from Fort William appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court charged with the murder of 42-year-old Craig Hamilton and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
• Craig Hamilton was found dead at a property on Drakemire Avenue in Castlemilk, Glasgow’s Southside, on Thursday, April 2, 2026, following a report of concern for a man around 8.10pm.
• Emergency services attended the scene, but Hamilton was pronounced dead there; a post-mortem examination confirmed his death as murder.
• Police Scotland launched a murder investigation, named Operation Woodman, and arrested the suspect earlier in the week.
• The accused, named Alexander Keatings, made no plea during the court appearance and was remanded in custody; he is due back in court at a later date.
• Hamilton’s family described him as “dearly cherished by his loved ones and friends, and he will be greatly missed.”

Castlemilk (Glasgow Express) April 13, 2026 – Alexander Keatings, a 56-year-old man from Fort William, appeared in Glasgow Sheriff Court charged with the murder of Craig Hamilton and attempting to defeat the ends of justice following the death of the 42-year-old in the city’s Southside earlier this month.

What Happened on Drakemire Avenue?

Police officers responded to a report of concern for a man at a property on Drakemire Avenue in Castlemilk around 8.10pm on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Emergency services attended, but Craig Hamilton was pronounced dead at the scene. As reported by Police Scotland in their official statement,

“Around 8.10pm on Thursday, 2 April, 2026, we received a report of concern for a 42-year-old man at a property on Drakemire Avenue in Castlemilk.”

A post-mortem examination was conducted, after which the death was treated as murder, prompting a homicide investigation. Detectives launched Operation Woodman to piece together the circumstances surrounding Hamilton’s death.

Who Is the Accused and What Are the Charges?

The 56-year-old man, whose address was given in court as Fort William in the Highlands, was arrested and charged in connection with the incident. According to reporting by Yahoo News UK,

“Alexander Keatings, whose general address was given as Fort William, Highlands, faced a charge of murder and another charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.”

He appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, April 13, 2026, where he made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody without bail. The court scheduled his next appearance for a later date. As stated by Police Scotland,

“The 56-year-old man is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, 13 April, 2026.”

How Did Police Respond to the Incident?

Police Scotland confirmed the arrest and charges in an update published prior to the court appearance.

“A 56-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Craig Hamilton in Glasgow,”

the force stated. Officers had been investigating since the initial report on April 2.

In a separate statement on the Major Incident Public Portal, Police Scotland detailed:

“Police Scotland are appealing for information in relation to the death of Craig Hamilton that occurred at a property in Drakemire Avenue.”

Emergency services were involved immediately, with Hamilton declared dead at the property.

What Do We Know About Craig Hamilton?

Craig Hamilton, aged 42, was described by his family as a much-loved individual. In a statement released through Police Scotland, his relatives said:

“Craig was dearly cherished by his loved ones and friends, and he will be greatly missed.”

As reported by Molly Tulett of Hello Rayo Clyde 1,

“Craig Hamilton was pronounced dead at the scene on Drakemire Avenue.”

The BBC noted that detectives initiated a homicide inquiry days after he was last known to be alive.

Court Proceedings Details

During the brief hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court, Alexander Keatings faced the charges but did not enter a plea. The sheriff remanded him in custody, with a future court date to be set. Court rolls for Glasgow Sheriff Court confirm hearings scheduled for April 13, 2026.

STV News reported on the charging:

“A suspect has been charged in connection with the death of a man who was found in a Glasgow home.”

No further details on the alleged attempts to defeat justice were provided in initial reports.

Police Investigation Updates

Following the post-mortem, Police Scotland upgraded the probe to murder. The force has appealed for public information via Operation Woodman. As per BBC Scotland,

“Police Scotland said the body of Craig Hamilton was discovered at a property on Drakemire Avenue, Castlemilk.”

No additional arrests have been reported at this stage.

Family and Community Reaction

Hamilton’s family issued a poignant tribute, highlighting his place in their lives. Local media, including Glasgow Live on X, covered the ongoing developments without community statements beyond police channels.

The incident has drawn attention to the Castlemilk area, a residential neighbourhood in Glasgow’s Southside.

Background of the Development

The death occurred in Castlemilk, a post-war housing estate in Glasgow’s Southside known for its community-focused environment amid ongoing regeneration efforts. Drakemire Avenue is a typical residential street in the area. Police Scotland’s response aligns with standard procedure for unexplained deaths, escalating to murder upon forensic confirmation. This case follows a pattern of investigations in the region, with Operation Woodman established to gather witness accounts and evidence. Prior incidents in Castlemilk, such as other assaults reported in local news, underscore the area’s occasional involvement in serious crime probes, though statistics from Police Scotland indicate overall declining violent crime rates in Glasgow Southside over recent years.

Prediction: Impact on the Particular Audience

This development can affect residents of Castlemilk and Glasgow’s Southside by increasing short-term police presence during the investigation, potentially heightening community vigilance around local properties. Families in the area may experience temporary disruptions from forensic teams or appeals for information, while Hamilton’s loved ones await trial proceedings that could extend over months. The broader Glasgow audience, including those following local crime news, may note reinforced calls for witnesses, influencing public cooperation in similar cases without altering daily routines significantly.