The team scouring the Pitlochry area for a missing pensioner have refused to rule out any reason at all for her disappearance three weeks ago today.
Elizabeth (Bet) Stevenson (77) was last seen on the A9 north of her home town of Pitlochry on the afternoon of February 21.
Despite a massive search for the Alzheimer’s disease sufferer which has involved sniffer dogs, divers and dozens of police, there has been no trace found of her.
Police have steadfastly refused to concede they are now searching for a body, although Bet’s daughter speaking during an emotional reconstruction of her last known movements has acknowledged she is unlikely to see her alive again.
A spokesman for the force said: ”Tayside Police’s enquiries to trace the whereabouts of missing Pitlochry pensioner Bet Stevenson are continuing and we would appeal to anyone who hasn’t spoken to us already and has information that might assist to get in touch.
”Bet has been missing since Tuesday February 21 and the search for the missing pensioner continues. Understandably, each day that passes adds to the distress of her family. Like us, they do not know where she is and are keen to establish what has happened to her.
”Until the circumstances have been fully established we keep an open mind as to the circumstances surrounding Bet’s disappearance.
”We are in regular contact with her family and they will be the first to know from us about any updates in our enquiries.”
Despite the potentially traumatic reconstruction a week ago, with Bet’s daughter Fiona Kerr playing her mother, no new leads have been turned up in the search.
Bet was last seen by the side of the northbound carriageway of the A9 at 2.30pm above Loch Faskally.
She is five feet four inches tall, slim, with blue eyes, and red-coloured jaw-length hair.
When last seen she was wearing a lightweight beige-coloured jacket, grey trousers and black boots.
Anyone who knows where Bet is or who has information that could assist Tayside Police in tracing her can call 0300 111 2222 or speak to any police officer.