Funeral for T in the Park man reported missing after festival

29 year old Jim Richardson's body was found a day after last seen at a layby by the A9 near Forteviot

Published 22nd Jul 2016

The funeral will take place today for the Wishaw man whose body was found after he disappeared on his way home from T in the Park.

The police watchdog launched an investigation into the death of 29 year old dad Jim Richardson, who was discovered by the A9 in Forteviot in Perthshire on the Tuesday after the festival, focussing on the initial police response of his disappearance.

His family had issued appeals on social media for help to find him and said he had been heading back by bus.

In a statement released by the Police Investigations & Review Commissoner, which is carrying out the probe, his family say: "Today, we lay our beloved son, husband, father, brother and uncle to rest. Jim was a loving husband and father and will be hugely missed by all his family.

"He will never be forgotten and will always have a special place in our hearts.

"We would like to say thanks for all the tremendous support we have received from friends, family and the local community, which has been of enormous comfort to all of us at such a difficult time.

"Today, we will pay tribute to the life of James and would ask for our privacy to be respected."

A Pirc spokesman said: "The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has instructed the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) to undertake an investigation after the body of James Richardson, 29, was discovered in the Forteviot area of Perthshire on July 12, 2016.

"The investigation will focus on the initial police response following a report of concern made about the man's welfare.

"A report on the commissioner's findings will be submitted to the COPFS in due course."

It had been reported Mr Richardson had texted his family to say the bus he was travelling in had left without him.

Police initially treated his death as "unexplained" and following a post-mortem examination said it was a sudden death with no suspicious circumstances.