Dozens of missing persons cases are featured on Edinburgh Live every month, as we share police appeals in a bid to spread word far and wide.
While most of these people are found within a matter of days, there are missing persons cases which have gone unsolved for months, sometimes even decades, in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Here we will be taking a lot at the more recent people who have gone missing across the capital and surrounding areas, in order to launch fresh appeals for their safe return home.
If there's a missing persons case not featured below that you'd like to make us aware of, or issue a renewed appeal for, please email news@edinburghlive.com.
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Alathea (Alice) Byrne
28-year-old Alice was reported missing two weeks ago, on January 1, 2022. She was last seen in the Portobello neighbourhood of Edinburgh, leaving a New Year's Eve party at 10am on Malborough Street.
She is described as white, around 5ft 6ins in height and of medium build with short black hair. When she was last seen she was wearing an orange jacket, black top, black jeans and white trainers. She was carrying a black rucksack.
Inspector Keith Scott said: “It is out of character for Alice not to keep in contact with her family and friends. We are becoming increasingly concerned for her wellbeing and we are working to trace her as soon as possible to ensure that she is safe and well. Searches and enquiries have been ongoing since she was reported missing, and we are now asking the public for any assistance they can provide.
“I would urge anyone who has seen Alice since Saturday morning, or anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact us as soon as possible. I would appeal to Alice herself to contact us if she sees this appeal. Contact 101 quoting reference 0647 of 2 January.”
Dean Conner
It has been little over a week since 37-year-old Dean Conner was last seen in the East Lothian city of Musselburgh, and his family are still desperately appealing for his return home.
Dean’s family said: “It has been more than one week since Dean was last seen and we are worried sick. We are desperate to know where he is and that he is safe.
“Dean, if you see this please call us or reach out to someone to let them know that you are safe.
“We are extremely grateful for all the work that has been done so far by the police and we would like to thank family, friends and the local community for the support and assistance they have provided us with so far during what has been a very upsetting time.
“We urge anyone who may have seen Dean, or who has any information at all that might help trace him to contact police as soon as possible.
Dean was last seen in the Links Avenue area of Musselburgh about 5pm on Friday, 31 December, 2021, walking towards the Promenade area of the town.
He is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall with short dark brown/black hair. CCTV footage of Dean shows that shortly before he went missing he was wearing a black hooded top, black jogging bottoms and white trainers.
John Coleman
John Coleman has been missing for over a decade now, as he was last seen at the Access Point in Leith Street on Friday May 1, 2009.
Mr Coleman, who also goes by the names of Daniel O'Connell and Sean O'Connell, is known to live rough, and travel extensively throughout the UK and Ireland.
The 51-year-old is described as being white, around 5ft 9ins tall, of medium build, with brown eyes. He has medium-length brown hair and is unshaven.
He also has two distinctive tattoos on his left arm. He has 'John' tattooed on his forearm, and another with a rose, dagger and Irish harp.
Alexander 'Sandy' Joseph Clarke
Police in Kirkcaldy are appealing for help from the public to find a local man missing since the early hours of Tuesday May 4, 2013.
Alexander "Sandy” Joseph Clarke, then 37, was last seen around 2am that morning leaving the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, and walking east along Hayfield Road.
He was carrying two 'Sports Direct' bags containing some clothing.
Officers conducting the investigation to trace Sandy said: "Our concern is the amount of time that he has been missing. We are very keen to speak to anyone who may have seen him, or had contact with him, and are appealing directly to his friends and associates.
"Extensive enquiries have already been carried out, but we are looking for that piece of the puzzle that will lead us to Sandy and make sure he is safe and well."
He is described as being 5ft 10ins tall, with a slim or average build, short slightly receding brown hair, and brown/green eyes. He has tattoos on both arms and a tattoo on his neck of a woman’s name.
If you have any information, please contact local officers in Kirkcaldy via 101.
Kenneth George Jones
Police are continuing to appeal for information about a missing man in Fife, who has not been seen since Tuesday November 4, 1998.
Kenneth George Jones was last seen at 7am when he left his home address at in Ancrum Court, Glenrothes.
He was 18-years-old at the time of his disappearance.
To date, extensive inquiries have been carried out to trace Kenneth and as yet there have been no confirmed sightings of him.
He is described as white, 6ft 2ins tall, with short, dark brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black blouson style leather jacket with zipped front, black jeans, yellow and green trainers carrying a small black/blue rucksack. He has a small scar under his right eye.
Fife Missing Person Coordinator Sergeant Peter Wordie said: “This case is subject to regular review and Kenneth’s mother and Aunt have never given up hope of finding him. The Missing People Charity have worked closely with them throughout the years to try and keep Kenneth’s disappearance in the public eye.
"They have reproduced an image recently which gives an artist impression on how Kenneth may look in the present day. He will be in his 40s.
“I would urge anyone who recognises the image or believes they may have seen Kenneth to please contact us as soon as possible via 101.”
Allan Bryant
Allan, who was 23 when he went missing, was last pictured on CCTV in Caskieberran Road, Glenrothes, shortly after 2am on Sunday November 3, 2013.
The previous night (Saturday November 2, 2013) Allan had walked with friends to an engagement party at Leslie Golf Club from his home in Ednam Drive.
He arrived at the golf club around 9pm and left about midnight when he travelled by minibus to Styx nightclub.
Allan and the group arrived at Styx shortly after and he left the club, which is approximately a one mile walk away from his home, at 2.02am.
Despite extensive searches and public appeals by Allan’s family and police, he has not been seen or heard from since.
Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Houliston of the Major Investigation Team said: "We remain committed to trying to get answers for Allan's family and any new details that we receive will be fully investigated.
"I would urge anyone who may hold information which could assist us, no matter how small it might seem, to report this as soon as possible."
Allan is described as white, 5ft 6ins tall, medium build, with short brown hair, blue eyes and tattoos on both arms.
When last seen, he was wearing a Voi t-shirt with three bands of colour – navy on the top, grey in the middle and white on the bottom, dark-coloured denim jeans and grey leather plimsolls.
