Appeal For Information One Year After Shaun Ritchie's Disappearance
A fresh appeal has been made for information concerning a missing man a year after his disappearance.
Shaun Ritchie was last seen on October 31 last year in Strichen, Aberdeenshire, and was reported missing two days later.
The search has been one of the largest missing person operations conducted by Police Scotland, covering a total area of 21 sq kms.
Police are hoping that a fresh appeal will jog people's memories and help unearth new information about the 21-year-old.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Mackay said: It is now one year since Shaun Ritchie was last seen and we would want to stress that this is still a missing person inquiry.
Clothing belonging to Shaun was found in the initial stages of the inquiry, however there is no evidence to date to suggest that Shaun has been a victim of any crime.
We will examine all the information we have and we will also react to new information. That is why we are appealing again to anyone who may have information that can help find him contact us.
"As the weather has changed through the year and water levels have dropped, this has allowed us to return to the area where Shaun was last seen and under take further searches. The investigation remains open and is regularly reviewed.
"Shaun's family have experienced a living nightmare since his disappearance and they just want answers.
"Our support to them continues alongside our efforts to find Shaun and our thoughts are with them on this difficult day.''
The inquiry team has been joined by more than 200 specialist search-trained officers, a forensic soil scientist, geoscientist and 27 search dogs during the investigation.
Police Scotland Grampian mountain rescue team along with the Aberdeen, Tayside and RAF Kinloss mountain rescue teams, dive and marine unit and Police Scotland air support have also aided the search operation.