POLICE have still not identified skeletal remains found in dense woodland in Fife earlier this week.
The grim discovery was made by a group of teenagers on Tuesday north of Riverside Park in Glenrothes. Officers have been unable to say if they are linked to any missing people from the area, but their families have been kept notified of any developments.
Specialist officers have been working at the cordoned-off scene and the remains will have to be analysed to establish gender, identity and cause of death.
Chief Inspector Stevie Hamilton, the local area commander for Central Fife said yesterday: “As part of our investigation into the discovery of these remains, we have spoken to the families of a number of missing people and will continue to update them as our inquiry progresses.
“It is essential the examination and recovery of these remains is thorough and professional and it may take us several days to remove them from the area. I would like to thank the local community in advance for their continued patience and support.
“The process of establishing the identity of these remains and the circumstances surrounding how the individual died is likely to take some time and until then it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.
“We will provide fupdates relating to this investigation whenever we have new information.”
Last night it was reported locally that the remains were not those of missing Allan Bryan. The scene is a five-minute walk from the 24-year-old’s. He disappeared after a night out at a club in the town in November 2013 and was last seen on CCTV outside Styx nightclub.
His father, also Allan, has been campaigning for information and new leads since his son’s disappearance.
He said the section of woodland where the remains were found had already been extensively searched, but added: “I’m worried sick to be honest. The park is only a five-minute walk away. We are waiting on forensics to determine whether it’s Allan or another missing person at the moment.
“The police won’t say anything until they carry out DNA tests.”
“I got the call from the liaison officer to say remains had been found, but there are a number of other missing people from the area so the remains could be theirs.”
Another local man Wayne Fleming, 39, also known as “Bagsy”, was last seen in the Cadham area of the town in March, when his family last heard from him.
Officers said this week they were becoming increasingly concerned for Fleming, known to frequent Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy.
Another family being kept waiting last saw their 18-year-old son 17 years ago. Kenneth Jones was last seen in Ancrum Court, Glenrothes, in November 1998 and, despite extensive searches and public appeals there has been no news of his whereabouts since.
His mother Maryanne has said she wanted closure on the torture she has endured over the years.
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