Detectives investigating the disappearance of Khasha Smith have arrested a man as they continue to appeal for information.
Khasha, of Edinburgh, was last seen to be safe and well on a FaceTime call on Tuesday, 10 October, 2023, aged 35.
Following extensive enquiries, Khasha is believed to be dead. However, her body is yet to be found.
A 39-year-old man has today, Friday, 6 September, 2024, been arrested in connection with her death and enquiries are ongoing.
Khasha’s family have been made aware and have asked that their privacy is respected.
Detective Chief Inspector Bob Williamson, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, is appealing to the public for information.
He said: “Our thoughts are very much with Khasha’s family at this extremely difficult time and they continue to be supported by specialist officers.
“They are understandably devastated and it is vital we get answers for them.
“Extensive enquiries remain ongoing to trace Khasha and I would again encourage anyone with any information regarding her disappearance to contact police, as a matter of urgency.
“Any piece of information, no matter how small or insignificant you think it is, could prove vital, so please get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 3915 of 5 January 2024.
Alternatively information can be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Former Scotland rugby star Scott Hastings has confirmed his wife Jenny has been missing since disappearing while wild swimming at Wardie Bay on Tuesday afternoon.
HM Coastguard was alerted to Jenny Hastings’ disappearance shortly before 3pm but despite a swift and thorough response by emergency services she could not be found. The search was stood down on Tuesday evening.
Jenny Hastings has struggled with her mental health for a number of years and police are treating the incident as a ‘high risk missing person case’.
Astatement issued on behalf of the family says:
The Hastings family are absolutely heart broken.
Jenny and Scott have a huge following of friends from all walks of life including those that work in the media and we ask that at this moment in time we are allowed to grieve privately with family members.
For the time being we request that you hold off from messaging us directly and/or posting on any social media until further news.
We know that you all care for us deeply and as soon as we hear any update from the police we will advise you accordingly.
We miss our Jenny. She leaves a gaping hole in all our hearts and hope that she is returned to us safely so that we can celebrate her remarkable life.
Police are appealing for help to trace a 42-year-old woman reported missing from the Liberton area.
Rebecca Clough, known as Becca, was last seen in the Liberton area in the evening of Tuesday, 13 August, 2024.
Becca may be travelling towards the West of the country via car.
Becca is described as white, around 5ft 7in tall, and has shoulder length red/purple hair. She was last seen wearing black cotton tracksuit bottoms and top. She occasionally wears glasses.
Sergeant Craig Darling said: “We are concerned for Becca’s welfare and appeal to anyone who believes they may have seen her to contact the police immediately”.
If anyone has information which may assist us to find Becca please call Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident 0808 of 14 August.
POLICE are appealing for help to trace Douglas Latona who has been reported missing from the Edinburgh area.
The 22-year-old was last seen in Willowbrae Road around 2am this morning – Sunday, 7 July, 2024.
Douglas is described as white, 5ft9, medium to stocky build, with short dark hair and heavy stubble. He was last seen wearing grey jogging bottoms, a grey Superdry sweatshirt and a black leather jacket.
Inspector Kenny Robertson said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned about Douglas’s welfare and are asking members of the public to keep a look out for him and report any potential sightings to us.
“We would also urge Douglas to please get in touch with someone to let them know he is safe and well.
“Anyone with information is asked to call us on 101, quoting incident number 1101 of Sunday, 7 July, 2024.”
Police are appealing for information to help trace 34-year-old Yvonne Thomson missing from Edinburgh.
Yvonne was last seen yesterday (Thursday, 4 July, 2024) in the Crewe Road area in the north of the city.
She is described as having orange hair, with a septum piercing. Yvonne uses a wheelchair.
Inspector Ross Nicol said: “Yvonne was spoken to around 7.20am today but we are growingly increasingly concerned for her welfare and are seeking the help of the public in tracing her.
“Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 1409 of Friday, 5 July, 2024.”
POLICE are continuing enquiries to locate Khasha Smith, 35, who is missing from the Calder area of Edinburgh.
Extensive enquiries are ongoing and police we have established that the last known confirmed sighting of Khasha was Tuesday, 10 October, 2023.
Her family is extremely concerned for her and are today appealing to the public for any information which could help trace Khasha.
Khasha’s mum Nicola Neil said: “Khasha, we love you so much and just need to know you are safe. We need you home with us.If anyone, anywhere, knows where Khasha is – please tell us. Please don’t let us go on like this.
“Khasha is a brilliant mum to her three children and is loved by all our very close family. We are all sick with worry. Khasha is my friend as well as my daughter and we are living a nightmare.
“It’s hard to find the words to explain the “not knowing” where she is and if anything has happened to her. These past few weeks have been horrendous and painful for us all. I would ask anyone out there – even if we don’t know you – please come forward if you know anything at all.
“Please help us bring Khasha home. This waiting is unbearable. I’m begging you from the bottom of my heart – please get in touch. I miss her so much and we need to find her.”
Khasha’s daughter Calley Smith said: “I recently had my 18th birthday and didn’t hear anything from my mum. She would never miss my birthday, my sisters’ birthdays, or Christmas.
“It’s just not her. We miss her so much. We want nothing more than my mum to walk through the door and to be able to give her a massive hug. It feels like I’m living the worst dream I could ever imagine.
“I can’t express what it would mean to have my mum home. Even the smallest piece of information might be all we need to find her.
“So I’m asking anyone with any information – please come forward and help the police bring my mum home for me, my sisters and the rest of the family.”
Khasha is around 5ft tall, with a slim build. She has blue eyes and long, blonde hair. She also has tattoos, one which is visible on her right wrist and says ‘Forever’.
She is known to visit the Gorgie, Broomhouse and Wester Hailes areas.
Khasha always maintains contact with her family. However, none of her relatives or her friends have seen, or heard from her, and this is very distressing for them.
Specialist officers are supporting and keeping in close contact with Khasha’s family.
A number of national resources have been used in the search for Khasha including the dog branch, underwater unit and specialist search officers.
Enquiries are ongoing and officers are again appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.
Detective Chief Inspector Bob Williamson said: “Khasha’s family are understandably extremely worried about her.
“We have a dedicated team of officers who are working around the clock to find her and get answers for her family.
“While we are keeping an open mind, and continue to hope Khasha will be found safe and well, we have to consider the possibility that she may have to come to harm. We must consider all possibilities.
“Our enquiries are ongoing and a key focus of our investigation is continuing to build up a picture of Khasha’s life in the months prior to her disappearance.
“We are keen to speak to any of Khasha’s friends who may have information about her whereabouts before the last known confirmed sighting of her on Tuesday, 10 October, 2023.
Police have also set up an online portal to encourage members of the public to submit information, including any recorded footage.
The Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) is a website that gives the public access to a form so they can send information directly to the major investigation team.
“It is absolutely vital that we find Khasha and I would again ask anyone with information – no matter how small or insignificant it may seem – to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3915 of 5 January, 2024.”
Officers are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 17-year-old teenager reported missing from Peterhead who may have travelled to Edinburgh.
Ethanie Labandia (pictured) was last seen around 8 am in the Skelton Street area of Peterhead yesterday (Monday, 17 April). She did not attend school and has not been seen since.
She is described as around 5ft 2ins, of slim build with long, dark hair. When last seen she was wearing a white shirt and dark trousers.
Sergeant Gary Johnston said: “Ethanie did not attend school as expected and concerns are growing for her welfare. She may have travelled to Edinburgh by bus.
“We are asking anyone who has seen Ethanie or knows where she might be to get in touch. If Ethanie becomes aware of this appeal then I would urge her to call us or get in touch with her family so we know she is safe and well.”
Anyone who can help is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 1461 of Monday, 17 April, 2023.
*** UPDATE ***
Police Scotland can confirm that Ethanie Labandia (17), reported missing from the Peterhead area, has been traced safe and well.
Police are appealing for information to help trace 76-year-old Nancy Bremner, who has been reported missing.
Nancy was last seen in the Torrance Park area of the city around 3pm yesterday (Sunday) and there is significant concern for her welfare.
She is described as being white, 5ft 1 and slim build, with should-length greying hair. When last seen, she was wearing a pink puffy coat, black jeans and black boots. She is known to frequent the Corstorphine area, including shops at Drumbrae, Glasgow Road and Corstorphine Road.
Inspector Kris Harvey said: “As time passes, our concern for Nancy continues to grow and we are asking for anyone who may have seen her, or has any information on her whereabouts to please come forward as soon as possible.
“You can contact police on 101, quoting incident 2160 of 12 March, 2023.”
UPDATE
We can confirm that Nancy Bremner has been found safe and well.
Searches are continuing to trace 28-year-old Alice Byrne who was last seen in the Portobello area on Saturday 1 January.
Alice was last seen by her family at her home around 2am on Saturday, 1 January. She met friends in Marlborough Street and left a flat there between 8am and 10am on Saturday morning.
She may have headed towards the promenade area. Police believe the area would have been busy with the public and vehicles and it is requested that people in the area at the time check pictures, videos or dash cam footage that they may have for any sightings of Alice.
Alice is described as white, around 5ft 6ins in height and of medium build with short black hair. When she was last seen she was wearing a, black top, black jeans ripped at the knees and white trainers.
Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal from Craigmillar Police station said: “Alice is known to frequent the Portobello and New Hailes areas of Edinburgh. Since she was reported missing, officers have been carrying out extensive searches and enquiries in these areas.
“Local officers led by specialist search advisors have been assisted by resources including the air support unit, police dogs and our marine unit.
“Officers will continue to speak to people who know her and who live in the local community. Searches are continuing throughout the area and we would also ask local residents to check their outbuildings and sheds, as well as urging anyone with any information on Alice’s whereabouts to get in touch as soon as possible.”
“This is an upsetting time for Alice’s family who are extremely concerned that she has not been in contact with them since Saturday. This is completely out of character for her.
“I would again urge anyone who has seen Alice since Saturday morning, or anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact us as soon as possible. If Alice reads this appeal, I would urge us to phone her family, friends or the Police. Contact 101 quoting reference 0647 of 2 January.”
