Found Deceased UK - David McLeod, 78, went to buy paper @8pm did not return, Galashiels, 16 Dec 2021

[MsMiniSleuth]

Police have asked the public to help them locate a 78-year-old man reported missing from Galashiels.

David McLeod was reported to be wearing a Scotland beanie hat, blue coat, dark trousers and walking boots, police said in a tweet early on Friday morning (December 17).

Anyone with information related to Mr McLeod's whereabouts is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting ref 3373 of 16/12/2021.

Police launch appeal to find missing 78-year-old man David McLeod

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Lothians & Scottish Borders Police Division

 

[dalsglen]

I live nearby, haven't heard a peep about this.

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

David McLeod left his home in Woodstock Avenue around 8pm on Thursday, 16 December, saying he was going to buy a newspaper.

He is described as 5ft 6ins, of slim build and has grey hair.

When last seen he was wearing a blue jacket, black jeans, a Scotland beanie hat and walking boots.

He may have gone in the direction of an Esso garage on Melrose Road, about a mile from his home, and would have walked along Marmion Road, Kenilworth Avenue and Winston Road.

Sergeant James Harrison said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for David, as is his family. He has been diagnosed with dementia and may have become confused. It is vital that anyone who may have seen David gets in touch with us.

“I would also ask people in the area to check their gardens, sheds and outhouses. If you have seen David, or know where he might be, please call us immediately on 101, quoting incident number 3373 of Thursday, 16 December, 2021.”

Missing Galashiels man David McLeod said he was going to get a newspaper

 

[dalsglen]

Just watched the local lunchtime news and still no mention about him, utterly shameful.

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

The family of a missing 78-year-old man from Galashiels who has been reported missing have appealed for the public to help find him.

David McLeod left his home in Woodstock Avenue at about 8pm yesterday, saying he was going to buy a newspaper.

He has been described as 5ft 6ins, of slim build and has grey hair. He was last seen a blue jacket, black jeans, a Scotland beanie hat and walking boots.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said he may have gone in the direction of an Esso garage on Melrose Road, about a mile from his home. He would have walked along Marmion Road, Kenilworth Avenue and Winston Road.

Sergeant James Harrison said:

We are becoming increasingly concerned for David, as is his family. He has been diagnosed with dementia and may have become confused. It is vital that anyone who may have seen David gets in touch with us. I would also ask people in the area to check their gardens, sheds and outhouses.

Family appeal for help in finding missing 78-year-old from Galashiels | ITV News

 

[elframo]

Just watched the local lunchtime news and still no mention about him, utterly shameful.

It's simple , he's not a pretty young woman.....

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Renewed appeal

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[dalsglen]

It's simple , he's not a pretty young woman.....

To be fair they don't really cover any missing persons on our news but this guy is clearly in a vulnerable position.

It's pitch black and everything's covered in frost and it's still only early.

The updated direction of his walk is really worrying, from where he went missing from tweedbank onwards its all pretty rural, loads of roundabouts, fields etc. I wonder if he was heading to the BGH (hospital).

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Police have released a CCTV image of a 78-year-old Galashiels man missing from home since last night as the public is urged to search their gardens, sheds and outhouses in the search for him.

Mr McLeod left his home in Woodstock Avenue around 8pm on Thursday, December 16, saying he was going to buy a newspaper but did not return. He can become confused so concerns are increasing for his well-being.

It is believed that he may have walked towards Tweedbank, along a path known locally as the ‘black path’, and passed near to Tweedbank rail station around 8.30pm that evening.

He was seen around 9.15pm walking near to the Ship Inn, East Port, Melrose. It is believed he then walked towards the A6091, Melrose bypass.

Public asked to search outhouses, gardens and sheds in the search for 78-year-old

 

[LemonMint]

This doesn’t sound good

 

[rhino]

To be fair they don't really cover any missing persons on our news but this guy is clearly in a vulnerable position.

It's pitch black and everything's covered in frost and it's still only early.

The updated direction of his walk is really worrying, from where he went missing from tweedbank onwards its all pretty rural, loads of roundabouts, fields etc. I wonder if he was heading to the BGH (hospital).

That was my thought too. I wonder if his wife was there (or he thought she was). I saw the helicopter up yesterday looking.

Police are currently asking people NOT to search, but if they do organise searches I know the area very well. I walk/ride in the area most days anyway. It’s been so bitterly cold the last 2 nights, and was only about 3 degrees max during the day yesterday so I don’t see how anyone could have survived outside without shelter.

 

[dalsglen]

That was my thought too. I wonder if his wife was there (or he thought she was). I saw the helicopter up yesterday looking.

Police are currently asking people NOT to search, but if they do organise searches I know the area very well. I walk/ride in the area most days anyway. It’s been so bitterly cold the last 2 nights, and was only about 3 degrees max during the day yesterday so I don’t see how anyone could have survived outside without shelter.

Does the black path pass by the loch? Do

That fog last night was freezing, no one would survive out in that in normal clothes.

 

[rhino]

Does the black path pass by the loch? Do

That fog last night was freezing, no one would survive out in that in normal clothes.

The loch in Tweedbank - Gun Knowe? Yes he’d have passed by or near there but it’s more of a duck pond really, not very big or deep. He was spotted after that though, headed up through Melrose towards the bypass. From there it’s possible he could have looped back along the black path towards Darnick and the hospital, but that’s a busy bit of road (and path for dog walkers) and the path is visible from the road for most of the way so I would have expected further sightings.

Other possible access to water is the Tweed that runs through Melrose; there are a few wee lochs within walking distance but a bit off the beaten path. Or if he’d turned about he’d go past the river again at Galafoot/Winston Road. Both Galafoot and Leaderfoot are within walking distance from where he was, and both have been locations for suicides, but not easily accessible accidentally.

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

It hasn't been said if he was actually seen in any shop actually buying a paper. I think he just got confused when out and couldn't remember what he was out for. Where he is now though... ?

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Police have advised against public searches due to weather and contaminating any evidence.

Appeal here on Community Help - approved by his family, so hopefully allowed?

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[Beans]

Police have advised against public searches due to weather and contaminating any evidence.

Appeal here on Community Help - approved by his family, so hopefully allowed?

Log in or sign up to view

Oh the content of that post and the information about his wife puts an extra sad slant on this situation. Poor man, and poor family.

It’s hovering just above zero in the Borders at the moment and will drop below over the next few hours. It’s also foggy. It’s no weather to be outside.

 

[annpats]

Police have advised against public searches due to weather and contaminating any evidence.

Evidence? Sounds almost like they're expecting it to be a crime. Which it could be. But then dog walkers, joggers etc. will no doubt mess up any 'evidence' without the search parties.

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Evidence? Sounds almost like they're expecting it to be a crime. Which it could be. But then dog walkers, joggers etc. will no doubt mess up any 'evidence' without the search parties.

Evidence to help determine cause of death, should that be found to be the case. Public going in and disturbing anything, if in the unlikely scenario of homicide, could hamper the case. It is standard procedure.

 

[Beans]

Evidence? Sounds almost like they're expecting it to be a crime. Which it could be. But then dog walkers, joggers etc. will no doubt mess up any 'evidence' without the search parties.

It may be that police were meaning tracks he might have left or evidence of his presence rather than evidence in a criminal sense.