Police discover body at home of missing man

Officers find remains four weeks after 64-yearold disappeared

Police searching for a man missing for four weeks believe they have found his remains in his own home.

The body of a man was recovered from an address in Panbrae Road, Bo’ness, at 2.45pm on Saturday.

Officers said that while the body had not been formally identified, they believed it was that of Arnold Mouat, 64, who was reported missing on Friday July 7.

He had last been seen by family at around 11.30pm the previous day in his house in the same road.

During a full scale emergency operation, search and rescue officers were deployed along with police dogs to search for the married father-of-four.

The Police Scotland Marine Unit also used specialist equipment in the water near Bo’ness.

A media campaign was launched with posters distributed across the local area.

More than 50 local community volunteers also combed areas where it was thought Mr Mouat, a keen hiker, used to walk.

Police Scotland said it had referred its handling of the case to the watchdog the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.

Mr Mouat’s death is being treated as unexplained but the circumstances are not thought to be suspicious and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.

Superintendent Martin Fotheringham, of Forth Valley Division, said: “This is a tragic set of circumstances and our thoughts and sympathies are with the Mouat family as they come to terms with their loss.

“Following a review of our response to this incident, Police Scotland has referred this matter to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.”

Picture: SWNS. Forensic officers at Arnold Mouat’s home in Bo’ness, West Lothian, where a body was discovered on Saturday.

Mr Mouat was reported missing on July 7.