The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Family confirms the death of missing Blairgowrie man Lee
TRAGEDY: Body of 34-year-old recovered from river nearly two weeks after he disappeared
The body of a Blairgowrie man who vanished nearly two weeks ago has been recovered from a local river, his family has confirmed.
Lee Brown was reported missing in the early hours of Friday November 30.
The 34-year-old, who was described by police as “high risk”, is said to have left home without his phone or money.
Police Scotland said that teams searching for Mr Brown recovered the body of a man from the River Ericht on Tuesday.
He was formally identified yesterday afternoon and Mr Brown’s sister Sheilian confirmed the tragedy on social media.
She shared on Facebook: “My mum and dad have asked me to put this post up. They would like to thank everyone who helped in the search for Lee especially Tayside Police, who have been an amazing support and been by their side since the beginning.
“Also to the fire service and the specialist search teams, my parents can’t fault what you’ve done.”
She wrote: “Unfortunately my baby brother was found in the river early afternoon. No words can describe our pain and my mum and dad would appreciate some time to get their heads around what has happened.”
Emergency crews mounted a series of extensive search operations for missing Mr Brown.
Members of the public joined fire fighters in a river search at Blairgowrie the night after he disappeared.
It followed a possible sighting from a member of the public, who reported seeing a man in the water.
Two fire service boats from Perth and Dundee spent several hours searching the Ericht, but no trace of Mr Brown was found at that time.
Crews returned to the town on Monday and carried out a search around the Keathbank Mills footbridge, upper Rattray and Balmoral Road.
Residents in the area were urged to check their sheds, garages and outhouses in case Mr Brown had sought shelter inside.
A force spokesman said: “Police Scotland can confirm that the body of a man recovered from the River Ericht in Blairgowrie yesterday has now been formally identified as that of missing local man Lee Brown.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. There are no apparent suspicious circumstances, and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”
No words can describe our pain. LEE BROWN’S SISTER SHEILIAN