Family of missing mum Heather McKay go online

By GARETH ROSE
Published on 02/09/2012 00:00

THE daughter of a woman missing for more than a week has launched a Twitter and Facebook campaign in the hope of tracing her.

Heather McKay, 51, from Dechmont, in West Lothian, vanished on the morning of Friday, 24 August, in a move which has been 
described as “entirely out of character”.

Since then, her children Andrea and Kevin Waddell have led the search for her, putting up posters, taking part in a police appeal and now focusing online.

The hashtag #findheather was trending on Twitter yesterday, and a Heather McKay Missing Person page has been set up on Facebook. Andrea, 24, said: “We’re trying to get the word out on Twitter and there’s the missing page on Facebook.

“There are about 7,150 people who have ‘liked’ the page and we are trying to update people on that.”

Andrea, a beautician from Uphall, broke down 
in tears while making an emotional appeal on Friday in which she pleaded: “Mum, I love you. I miss you. I need you here.”

The message on the Facebook page reads: “Heather is still missing. We are 
living through what has to be everyone’s worst nightmare. The police are doing a fantastic job in trying to find Heather, but we need everyone’s help.

“I cannot tell you how much we appreciate the 
incredible support we have received from the local community – heartfelt thanks from Heather’s 
family. Please tell as many people as possible.

“The more people who recognise Heather’s face, the more chance we have 
of finding her. We love our sister, daughter, mother and friend so much and we want her home with us. Please keep Heather in your thoughts and prayers.”

Police said inquiries were continuing yesterday, but 
it was too early to say 
what impact Friday’s press conference has had.

It is understood McKay had been staying with a friend in Dechmont who was the last person to see her at 7.30am on 24 August. Another friend called at the address at around 8.30am that morning, but McKay was not there and has not been seen since.