New appeal 6 months after Inverkip woman went missing
The last independent sighting of Margaret Flemming was in 1999
The detective leading the hunt for Inverkip woman Margaret Flemming has issued a new appeal six months after she was reported missing.
The 36 year old's carers told police she had disappeared from their home on beside the Firth of Clyde last November,
Officers have continue to insist they're treating it as a missing person inquiry despite the the last independent sighting of Margaret being 17 December 1999 at a family gathering.
Since November search teams have been sifting through the five bedroomed house on Main Road to find any documentation, clothing and personal items that could assist in finding her.
Earth movers were brought in as forensic teams dug over the grounds of the propety.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Livingstone said, "There have been extensive enquiries over the last six months as we try to piece together Margaret's life. A team of dedicated officers have been sifting through thousands of items, paperwork, documents, and articles taken from the house. We’ve been in contact with around 1200 individuals and organisations who may have had contact with Margaret in an effort to trace her and over 200 have still to get back to us so we have some lines of enquiry still to follow up.
"Over the course of the six months, we've taken over 500 witness statements from people. The search we've carried out in the house and the grounds extended over 500 meters of the house, into nearby water and woodland. The search has now finished but was intensive and methodical and the area searched in the garden alone was around half a hectare, which is a huge area.
"Whilst we are keeping an open mind - her carers state that Margaret has a private side to her life, possibly having friends that they are not aware of - we cannot rule out the possibility that she has come to harm in some way. By this I mean that she could have had an accident, possibly wanted to be missing or even something more sinister.
“We're continuing our enquiries within her family and friends, both in Scotland and overseas, to try to glean any more information that means we can trace her safe and well.
"We remain in contact with Margaret's mother, who understandably is shocked and distressed at her disappearance. Her carers have been assisting us with our enquiries, and the strength of feeling and support from local residents in the Inverkip area has been welcomed.
"A key focus for me is to speak to anyone who may have been in the house in Inverkip. Whether you have taken a delivery there, cold-called for a charity, picked anyone up in a taxi or visited for social reasons, I need you to get in touch with us.
“Margaret is still being considered a missing person and I would reiterate my appeal to anyone who may have known Margaret from 1999 until now, and knew she had been living at the house in Inverkip to get in touch. The key to finding Margaret is through people coming forward with information about her.”
Margaret is described as: around 5ft 5 inches in height, with collar length black hair and brown eyes. She is described as being of heavy build. When last seen, she was wearing a green coloured tartan fleece or jumper, dark coloured jeans or trousers, wearing 'Karrimor' type boots which were dark in colour. She also had a satchel-type handbag. Margaret is also believed to have learning difficulties.