AN ARISTOCRAT who stood by her lover when he burned down her parents' mansion has been found dead in mysterious circumstances.

Frances Faucet-Reid's body was discovered in a house in Perthshire.

Police were continuing to carry out a search at her Perth home after the 60-year-old was found dead on Tuesday morning. Ms Faucet-Reid had continued a relationship with Gus McConnell after he burned down her £415,000 home more than a decade ago.

McConnell claimed he had set fire to the property after being enraged by finding a bag of sex toys and pornography within Balnakilly House, Kirkmichael.

McConnell was jailed for four years in 2000 after being found guilty of fireraising.