East Lothian man, Dean Conner has been missing since New Years Eve but has been ‘presumed dead’ as family fear he drowned in river just metres away from home.
Dean was last seen walking near the Promenade in Musselburgh, East Lothian, on December 31, but there has been no trace of him since.
The 37-year-old was walking in the direction of the Promenade - close to his home - but has failed to make contact with his worried loved ones since.
Step-dad Gary Finnie has now issued a heartbreaking update in the case and said the police search had sadly come to an end after all avenues were exhausted.
Posting on social media, he wrote: “It is with a very heavy heart we received the news today that the police have come to an end of their hunt for our boy having exhausted all avenues with no success.
READ MORE: Edinburgh mum assaulted after men broke in while her 10-year-old was at home
“As Dean has not been seen on any CCTV, or anywhere else with no use of phone or bank cards since leaving his house in the direction of the Promenade (only 30m away) there is a heavy suspicion that he somehow ended up in the Firth of Forth.
“Even though extensive air & sea searches have been carried out on both the east coast and Fife assisted by the oceanographer, there has been no sighting of any evidence to confirm this.
“But this is still the main thought. Dean is now officially recorded as ‘missing, presumed dead’.
“The case will remain open but no further action will be taken unless further evidence is presented.
“Clearly this is a big milestone for us and being devastated doesn't cover how we feel.
Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
“We are taking this news on board and accepting the fact it is a good possibility of what might have happened but are always aware that there are also other possibilities.
“Perhaps what happened will come to light one day or maybe we will never know. A very sad day that will haunt us forever.”
Sadly the family of 28-year-old Alice Byrne faced similar heartbreak after police determined she was also last seen entering the same water alone on New Years Day.
