Police have confirmed a body found in woodland is that of missing student David O’Halloran.
The 18-year-old disappeared after a night out with friends in Stirling city centre more than three months ago.
He took a lift in a taxi but got out before reaching his accommodation and was last spotted crossing Henderson Street in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling, in the early hours of January 18.
A body was discovered in a wooded area above Bridge of Allan on April 18 and a spokesman for Police Scotland confirmed today it is that of the first-year maths student.
The family of Mr O’Halloran, who attended Stirling University, launched a campaign to help find him after he vanished, appealing for the public’s help via Facebook and Twitter.
On the Facebook page, a post believed to be from Mr O’Halloran’s mother Donna, from Kilmaurs, Ayrshire, said a celebration of his life will be held at nearby Stewarton sports centre on May 11 because “David loved his tennis so much”.
A previous message attributed to his family said: “Our hearts are broken but they have been broken since the beginning, as we knew our boy and knew 100% that he had not run away, he loved us too much to ever even have thought of that.”
A statement on the university’s website said: “We are deeply saddened by the confirmation from Police Scotland today that the body discovered on April 18 is indeed that of our missing student David O’Halloran.
“David was a popular and promising student who will be missed across the university community. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone affected at this time.”
The university has launched a new safe taxi scheme this week, which allows students who do not have enough money to get home from nights out during term time to use their matriculation card and signature as a deposit for the fare.
The initiative has been developed by Stirling’s students union, 12 local taxi companies, police and Stirling Council.
Sam Gibbs, president of the students’ union, said: “For the union and the university, the safety and well-being of our students is paramount.
“The safe taxi scheme is a welcome initiative. It ensures students who go out for a night in town will always be able to get back home safely.
“It is important that, if students do find themselves in a difficult or exceptional situation, there are mechanisms in place to help them get home safely.”
Robert Fowler, chairman of the Stirling Taxi Association, said: “We are pleased to be working with the university to deliver this service which provides a safety net for students in emergency circumstances.
“Stirling is a university city and the drivers from local taxi firms pride themselves on providing an excellent and safe service to students.”