Dad-to-be found dead days before his baby is born

Jun 2 2011 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

A YOUNG man was found dead at a local nature spot – just days before he was due to become a father.

The body of Stewart MacAulay (21) was discovered by a walker near a bridge next to Larkhall Viaduct on Saturday afternoon.

Police shut parts of nearby Morgan Glen to investigate the incident.

A Strathclyde Police spokesman said that officers received a call from near Millheugh Road, Larkhall, at around 1.50pm on May 28.

She said: “The body of a 21-year-old male recovered near to Millheugh Road, Larkhall, on Saturday afternoon.

“A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”

There were no suspicious circumstances, she added.

However, there was fresh heartache for family and friends when Stewart’s partner gave birth to a baby girl only three days after his death.

An announcement made on a Facebook tribute page stated that his daughter, named Macie, had been born on Tuesday morning.

It read: “Little Macie MacAulay has arrived! And she’s got the best Angel looking over her that anyone could ask for.”

The tribute page has already attracted more that 400 well-wishers and mourners. There was also an outpouring of grief and tributes for Stewart – who was known locally as ‘Stimpy’.

The former Larkhall Academy pupil was remembered fondly and described by friends and family members as popular and funny.

Tributes read:

l “your baby girl has one amazing angel watching over her x”;

l “well dun stewart a daddy 2 a wee girl macie!! makin uz aw proud!! just wish u wur dwn here way uz aw, the smile on ur face would have been unbelievable xxxxxxxxxxxxxx”

l “Baby Macie will have the best Guardian Angel!! R.I.P Stewart x x x”

l “look over your baby girl from up there! RIP.”

Diehard Rangers fan Stewart lived in Strutherhill’s Craigbank Street with his mother Janice.

At a lane in nearby Glen Avenue, a massive amount of tributes and messages have been left on a fence, remembering Stewart.

Stimpy was honoured with Rangers football shirts and scarves, as well as Union Jack flags with his name written across them.

On Tuesday evening, many friends and relatives attended the site to release Chinese lanterns in memory of their friend.

The Advertiser attempted to contact relatives yesterday (Wednesday), but they could not be reached at the time of going to press.