Drink-driver admits killing cyclist then burying body to cover up his crime

The remains of Tony Parsons were tragically discovered in January 2021 (Image: Police Scotland ) A man who had been drink-driving has admitted to killing a cyclist and burying his body with the help of his twin brother. The 31-year-old twin brothers, Alexander and Robert McKellar, have confessed to hiding cyclist Tony Parsons’s body by burying it on a secluded country estate.  The 63-year-old cyclist had disappeared during a solo charity bike ride back in September 2017, leaving his family and community devastated. The investigation led authorities to the twin brothers who were initially charged with murder and attempting to obstruct justice in connection with Mr Parsons’ death when the remains of Mr Parsons were tragically discovered in January 2021, in a remote area near a farm in Bridge of Orchy, Argyll and Bute.  Alexander and Robert McKellar have confessed to hiding cyclist Tony Parsons’s body (Image: Police Scotland ) However, the case took a different course this week at the High Court in Glasgow when during the proceedings, Alexander McKellar pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of culpable homicide.  He admitted that he hit Mr Parsons with a vehicle while driving at an excessive speed and under the influence of alcohol. Meanwhile, Robert McKellar, who was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the incident, was acquitted of killing Mr Parsons after the Crown accepted his not guilty plea. Both brothers also pleaded guilty to attempting to thwart the course of justice.  The two brothers did not seek medical assistance for Mr Parsons before they dumped the damaged car that was involved in the collision at the nearby Auch Estate along with the brothers’ phones, the court heard. The pair then returned in another vehicle to the scene where the 63-year-old cyclist was still lying. The man was placed in the truck along with his bike and the twins went back to the Auch Estate and initially hid Mr Parsons’ body in a part of the woods. However, Mr Parsons was then taken to another spot for “the purposes of disposing dead animals”. To cover up their crime, the brothers arranged for repairs to be done on the vehicle that struck Mr Parsons, claiming that the damage resulted from a collision with a deer. The court has adjourned the case until Friday, giving more time for further deliberations and sentencing.  Throughout this harrowing ordeal, Mr Parsons’ family released a heart-wrenching statement through Police Scotland, expressing their grief and describing him as a “much-loved husband, dad, and grandad.” They said: “When he said goodbye and set off on his charity cycle from Fort William that Friday, none of us expected it to be the last time we would be able to see or speak to him. “Throughout the six years since he went missing and then the subsequent criminal investigation, we had been left with many unanswered questions and it has been heartbreaking for each and every member of the family being unable to get these answers. “As you can imagine, not knowing what has happened to someone and then the devastating news that we were provided has taken its toll on all of us as a family.” The case will continue on Friday.