We’re just so relieved to know that JA is safe
Mother’s relief over son who went missing in 2017
A mum has told of her joy after her son, who had been missing for nearly two years, reached out.
Marie Kinloch, 51, says Johnalexander O’Neill penned a heartfelt letter to his dad - 21 months since he disappeared.
The Renfrew man’s desperate family launched a major appeal to find him after he vanished days before Christmas 2017.
Their efforts had drawn a blank until now and mum Marie says she feels an overwhelming sense of relief knowing her lad, who is known as JA to pals, is safe.
She told the Express: “I can’t believe it. I’m still in shock.
“My daughter Charlene came into the house and stood at the door. She was holding an envelope.
“She just looked at me smiling. I said is it ‘JA’ and she nodded.
“It was a letter to his dad Ricky from down south. I’ve read it over and over again.”
Although the letter is not in JA’s handwriting, Marie is convinced it came from him.
“We think he has got someone to write it for him. But there are details in the letter that let me know it’s him,” Marie added.
“I feel like I’ve been living in limbo since 2017 when he disappeared.
“We haven’t been able to get on with our lives. You are constantly thinking what might have happened to him or where he was.
“Now I know he is safe, I can start to move forward.
“We never gave up hope on him and we never will.
“I want to thank everyone who has supported us throughout this whole thing. We are so grateful to everyone who has helped.”
It’s understood JA is in the Suffolk area. JA popped in to see Marie three days before Christmas in 2017 but hasn’t been heard from since.
The family reported him missing but efforts to trace him drew a blank.
Marie and Charlene, 32, plastered posters across Renfrewshire and worked wth various missing people charities including Missing Persons UK and Beyond in a bid to find him.
Now I know he is safe, I can start to move forward. We never gave up hope on him and we never will