A murder inquiry has been launched into the death of a man in North Lanarkshire.

John Cairns, 24, was found seriously injured at a property in Shiel Gardens, Shotts, at around 8.20am on Thursday.

Emergency services attended, but Mr Cairns was pronounced dead at the scene.

A murder probe was launched following a post-mortem examination.

Police Scotland said Mr Cairns’s family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

Detective Inspector Hazel Reid said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this very difficult time.

“We have a dedicated team of officers working on this investigation and extensive enquiries are ongoing at this time.”

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Officers have been gathering CCTV footage and carrying out door-to-door enquiries.

Locals are also being urged to share any private CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage that could assist the investigation.

Read more from Sky News:
UK won’t stop Israeli arms sales, Cameron says
Five Eurovision moments you might have missed

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

DI Reid added: “We will have a continued police presence in the area and anyone with any concerns can approach these officers.

“It is vital that we find out more about what has happened as soon as possible, and I would like to reassure the community that officers are working to trace whoever is responsible.

“I am appealing to the community to get in touch with us with any information they have, no matter how insignificant it might seem, please pass it on to officers.”

Related posts:

Snow, sleet and freezing temperatures to hit UK as pub beer gardens reopen in England Is there a risk from COVID variants when US and EU travellers enter the UK without quarantine? French fishermen threaten to block exports to UK in run-up to Christmas as tensions rise over fishing rights Two men taken to hospital after being attacked by two ‘aggressive’ dogs on the loose ‘You are not alone’: Boris Johnson pens open letter to children of Ukraine Hospital health worker arrested on suspicion of poisoning infant who died Revealed: 12 steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting dementia Bringing cake to office as harmful as passive smoking, UK food watchdog says Baby donkey theft from farm in Hampshire leaves owner ‘devastated’ ‘Bubbly’ mum-of-four and man found dead in Huddersfield are named by police Prince Harry in legal row with Home Office over his security Murder arrests after ‘devoted son’, 26, dies in ‘incident’