Family pays tribute after body identified

THE family of a missing Lothian man have paid tribute to him after police confirmed they had recovered his body from a river.

Thomas Davidson from Dalkeith

Police Scotland said they had identified the body pulled out of the River North Esk on Friday as that of Thomas Davidson from Dalkeith.

The 73-year-old had been the subject of an extensive search operation after he went missing on Tuesday, April 26.

There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, officers said.

In a statement issued through Police Scotland, Thomas’ family said: “We wish to thank the local community and police for their understanding and support at this very sad time.

“We also wish to be left alone and be given the privacy needed to grieve.”

Sergeant Stuart Aitchison, of Dalkeith police station, said: “Our sympathies are with the family of Thomas Davidson and we wish to extend our gratitude to them for their assistance over the course of our search operation.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the public who assisted with our inquiries.”