The wife of a missing Arbroath marine has issued an emotional appeal for him to come home after she gave birth to their baby daughter.
News that Ralph Hebden is now father to a healthy baby girl comes two weeks on from the last confirmed sighting of the missing 32-year-old.
His wife Sarah, who gave birth to their daughter on Friday, today urged her husband to get in touch.
She said: “Ralph, your daughter has been born. She is safe and healthy and we are both doing well. But we both need you home with us and we need you now. Please come home.”
Ralph was last seen outside the Morrisons store in Arbroath shortly after 8.30am on Monday March 11.
Inspector Ally Robertson said: “Clearly, our fears for Ralph grow with each passing day, but we dearly hope that news of the best possible kind being a dad to a healthy baby girl will reach him.
“Sarah and the baby need Ralph home. Ralph’s family need to know he is safe and well and I appeal to him to get in touch as soon as possible to offer Sarah some peace of mind at what should be a happy time.”
Police are investigating the death of another RM Condor marine on Sunday night, but say there is nothing to suggest any link between that and Ralph’s disappearance.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or speak to any police officer.
For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Courier or try our digital edition.