The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Fears confirmed as body found in Tay is missing man.
IDENTIFICATION: Mother ‘more peaceful’ as she will now be able to lay her son to rest after formal process completed
The mother of a man found dead in the River Tay more than two months after going missing has said she feels “more peaceful” now that he has been formally identified.
Iain Guthrie was last seen in Perth city centre shortly before a man was spotted in the water below Queen’s Bridge on December 19.
His mother’s worst fears were realised on Tuesday when police confirmed the identity of a body found near Newburgh on February 24 – the day after would have been Iain’s 21st birthday.
Louise said that identification had taken several weeks as police were unable to use dental records and had to do DNA tests.
She is now focusing on arranging a funeral for Iain so he can be laid to rest. Family friend Johnny Nicoll, who was Iain’s key worker at New School, Butterstone, has raised more than £1,700 to help pay for the costs.
Louise said: “I feel more peaceful now he has been found – sometimes people go into the water and they are never found.
“It’s hard that he’s dead but at least we’ve got a chance to lay him to rest and he’s no longer in the water. We’ve got a chance to say a proper goodbye.”
Mr Nicoll, who maintained a friendship with Iain after he left school, paid tribute.
He said: “Iain brought a smile to the face of everyone who knew him. The New School was a huge part of Iain’s life, as it gave him the platform and confidence to move on into the adult world and likewise Iain was an integral part of the school community and contributed much to its success as a place of learning and social development.
“Iain will be remembered by everyone who knew him as he has enriched the lives of so many.”
The sighting of the man in the Tay, now known to be Iain, sparked a massive operation by search and rescue services.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “We can confirm that following the recovery of a man’s body from the River Tay at Newburgh, Fife, on February 24, he has now been formally identified.
“He has been named as missing 21-year-old Iain Guthrie from Perth. There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”