Police treating death of teenager missing for more than a month as unexplained
Extensive inquiries are being carried out by police following the discovery of a body in the search for 19-year-old Cole Cooper, Police Scotland said.
Tuesday 10 June 2025 20:17, UK
The death of a teenager who went missing more than a month ago is being treated as unexplained, police have said.
Extensive inquiries are being carried out following the discovery of a body in the search for Cole Cooper, 19, Police Scotland said.
The teenager was last seen by a school friend on 7 May in the village of Longcroft near Falkirk, in central Scotland, when he asked a school friend for a lift, which he was not given.
He was reported missing by his family on 9 May.
A body was found around 4.15pm on Friday last week in a wooded area in Banknock, Falkirk, after a major search.
Formal identification is yet to take place, but Mr Cooper's family have been informed and police said dedicated officers continue to support them.
Mr Cooper was last seen on CCTV on 4 May in Longcroft and officers revisited the scene on 8 June and spoke to more than 150 people.
Police said establishing his movements between Sunday 4 May and Wednesday 7 May is a priority for officers.
Chief Inspector Alex Hatrick said: "Cole Cooper's disappearance and the circumstances leading up to it remain unexplained.
"We remain in regular contact with the family to ensure they are kept up to date with all aspects of the investigation.
"We will continue to support them and provide them with updates as our inquiries progress.
"Extensive inquiries are ongoing to piece together Cole's last movements and find answers for his loved ones."
Officers are examining more than 2,000 hours of CCTV footage and are continuing door-to-door inquiries in Longcroft and Banknock.
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'Shattered hearts'
In a statement posted on the Missing Person Cole Cooper group on social media, his family said they were "completely broken".
"With shattered hearts, we share the devastating news that our beloved Cole, who was missing, has been found - but not in the way we hoped or prayed for," they said.
"Our worst fears have become reality, and we are now living a nightmare we can't wake up from."
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They added: "Cole, you were our world - and now our world will never be the same.
"Your life was only just beginning. The world didn't get to know the light you carried, but we did - and we will carry it with us, always."
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Mr Cooper's family said they have been left with unanswered questions, but thanked those who have supported them.