'The search is off but the nightmare continues' - friend pays tribute to Hazel Nairn
Hazel was swept into the River Don on Friday, 18 November
Tributes to Hazel Nairn are continuing after the search to find her body was called of on Thursday night.
The 71-year-old was swept into the Rover Don at Monymusk alongside her dog, Rory, on the afternoon of Friday, 18 November.
The dogs body was found five days later, but Hazel is still missing.
Alana Mathers, a family friend of Hazel, has been paying tribute to her, nearly 50 days after she went missing.
An unforgettable woman
"There's just not day that goes by when Hazel's not in our thoughts.
"There's friends and relatives that have lost someone so precious, but you just can't begin the grieving process until Hazel is found.
"I know that we can never fill that void, but we still need closure, we need to be able to lay Hazel to rest.
"But until that day comes we just need to keep looking, keep hoping and keep praying that we can bring Hazel home."
Official search called off
A Dive and Marine Unit, Air Support Unit and police dogs all assisted local officers in the search for Hazel, but no body has been found.
It's meant that, after 48 days, the official search has been called off.
"It's been horrendous. I never imagined that I'd ever be part of a search looking for a friends body", added Alana.
"I can't really put into words how it feels walking beside the river, it's heartbreaking. At the end of a days search it's completely soul-destroying.
"Hazel's on our minds and in our hearts everyday, you just can't switch off.
"Even going for a family walk on the beach, I found myself looking for something. I've lost count of how times I've stopped thinking I've seen something.
"And if that's how I'm feeling, I can't imagine how Anneka (Hazel's daughter) and Hazel's family keep going from one day to the next."
Not giving up hope
Days after her disappearance, a vigil was held in memory of Hazel at Monymusk Parish Church, with around 150 people attending.
But despite the well-wishes from people far and wide, Alana admitted that it's been like a "nightmare" since Hazel went missing.
"Until Hazel is laid to rest no one can stop that heartache.
"The official search has now been called off, but the nightmare continues.
"We just have to keep looking, we have to look for any link to Hazel.
"We want to encourage people that are near the river, or the fields, please keep remembering that Hazel is missing.
"Please keep looking safely and if anybody sees anything at all, reach out to the police and the family.
"We will keep searching and we will keep praying that we can bring Hazel home."