Friends and family of a Fife man who has been missing for almost three months have been preparing themselves for the worst after police confirmed a body was found at the weekend.
Gavin Fern (30), originally from Dunfermline, was last seen leaving his home in Glasgow around noon on November 20.
Ex-Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s wife Sarah and Lorraine Kelly, Davina McCall and Matt Lucas were among those who joined a high-profile internet appeal to find Mr Fern, while his mother Sandra fought back tears when she appealed for her son to come home just before Christmas.
But hopes Mr Fern would be found alive appear to have diminished as Fife Police revealed they are investigating the discovery of a body found near Blairhall on Saturday morning.
While stressing the identity of the man had yet to be determined, police sources said the indications were it may be Mr Fern. His family were informed of the discovery and a police spokesperson said they will be kept up to date.
Mr Fern, who worked as a computer salesman with Hewlett Packard, failed to turn up for a training course in London on November 22. Colleagues reported his absence and family and police grew increasingly concerned for him, given the fact he suffered from severe cluster headaches and had not taken his medication with him.
He withdrew money from Glasgow Central Station on the day he went missing. He did not have a mobile phone or laptop with him and did not hold a valid passport.
Officers from Fife joined forces with Strathclyde Police to co-ordinate their search, while friends launched an online appeal using Twitter and Facebook.
Accompanied by daughter Helen on December 16, Gavin’s mother Sandra said the family still held out hope he would be found safe and well.
“I believe Gavin is out there. My son is out there. I can’t believe that in all this time someone, somewhere hasn’t seen him,” she said. “If you want time out or if life is just a bit tough, please let us know. We love and care about you so much and want to know you are okay.”
No further details about the body find were given out by the police, although a spokesperson said a formal identification is expected in due course.