Woman went missing after splitting from her boyfriend

Saturday 1 September 2012

A MISSING mother-of-two had broken up with her boyfriend shortly before she disappeared.

HEATHER McKAY: Last seen by a friend more than a week ago. emotional: Andrea Waddell appealed for her mother to get in touch with the family at a press conference yesterday, as police continued their inquiries in the village of Dechmont, West Lothian, where she had been staying with a friend. Picture: Stewart Attwood

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Melissa Clark

Heather McKay, 51, was last seen a week ago at a friend's house, where she was staying after the breakdown of her relationship.

Officers say they are increasingly concerned for the safety of the care worker from Uphall, West Lothian, who would rarely go more than two days without texting her daughter.

Divorcee Mrs McKay was on annual leave from her job with the NHS when she disappeared.She had been living with her boyfriend at an undisclosed location but following the split went to stay with a friend in Dechmont, West Lothian.The friend last saw her when she left for work at 7.30am on Friday, August 24. When another friend called for her an hour later she had gone, leaving behind her mobile phone.Heather's daughter, Andrea Waddell, appeared at a press conference to make an emotional plea for information, accompanied by her 27-year-old brother Kevin.The 24-year-old from nearby Broxburn said: "She's never gone before, it's completely out of character."I could be at work and she'd phone me. I never went two or three days without texting her."Andrea, who broke down in tears several times during the conference, said she was worried that her mother had left her mobile behind.She said: "Mum would always leave a note if she was going out and she didn't take her phone."Andrea said the break-up of her mother's relationship had hit her hard. "The night before she went missing we had a discussion," she said. "She was really beat up by it all. She made plans for Friday to start looking for a new house. She said, 'I'll see you at lunchtime'."Andrea told her mother everything was going to be fine and that when they looked back on the break-up in months to come, it would all seem silly. The 24-year-old added: "Even if she doesn't want to come home, let us know you're OK. Me and Kevin are here for you. I love you. Just come home."Kevin Waddell said: "The last night I saw her she was her usual, bubbly self. She is always caring for everyone else, this is so out of character."Mrs McKay's sister, Deidre McKay, flew from her home in Alicante, Spain, to help in the search. She told reporters: "You just need to look at the children's faces. I think she is somewhere with someone, but maybe just not ready to come home."The family suspect Mrs McKay could be staying with someone at the moment but just want to know she is safe and well.Inspector Neill Whiteside of Lothian and Borders police said: "Today we are one week on and police are still in the Dechmont area. They are asking people to reflect back seven days now that they know she is missing."He said there was nothing to suggest anything suspicious about the disappearance."There have been another few unconfirmed sightings of Heather. These were in Dechmont around mid-morning on the day she went missing. "CCTV has also been checked and her phone and bank cards are actively being looked at."There has been no suggestion of criminality or foul play. It is a high-risk missing person – we are concerned for her well-being."He added: "All avenues are still open. We hope this appeal jogs memories and helps our inquires."The officer said there had been an astonishing response from the public. "We just want to piece together all of the information and look at it fresh today to see is there are new lines of inquiry," he said.A commuter who was driving in the area on the day Heather disappeared said he believed he saw her at 8.30am.He said: "She was with a man and a woman outside a bungalow in Dechmont. She looked very animated."Mrs McKay was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue Berghaus rain jacket and Hi-Tech walking boots. Anyone with information on where she might be is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131.

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Woman went missing after splitting from her boyfriend

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