A report into how police handled the search for a missing pensioner who was found dead has been handed to prosecutors.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said the family of 88-year-old Janet McKay deserved a “thorough and timely investigation” after it emerged information about a possible sighting of her was not passed on to call-handling centres or the inquiry team.
The body of Ms McKay, who suffered from dementia, was discovered in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, in September nine days after she was seen leaving her home in the Knightswood area of Glasgow.
Police Scotland subsequently apologised to Ms McKay’s family after details of the possible sighting emerged.
The issue was referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc), which has now submitted its report to the Crown Office.
A Pirc statement said: “An investigation by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner following the death of Janet McKay in Clydebank has concluded.
“The commissioner was directed by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to carry out an independent investigation into the initial response from Police Scotland to the missing person investigation for Mrs McKay, and the circumstances leading up to her death, after the body of the 88-year-old was discovered on September 24 2015.
“A report on the commissioner’s findings has been sent to the COPFS for their consideration.”