Man's body found on eve of nephew's funeral

THE body of a man who disappeared after his nephew was allegedly murdered was pulled from a river yesterday on the eve of the teenager's funeral.

Colin Ferguson, 46, has not been seen since 11 May when he went with other family members to lay flowers at a shrine for Jack Frew.

The body of Jack, 16, was found near a cycle path in the Mossneuk area of East Kilbride on election night, 6 May. Craig Roy, 17, was charged with Jack's murder at Hamilton Sheriff Court on 10 May. He was released on bail following another court appearance on Tuesday of this week.

A body believed to be that of Mr Ferguson was recovered from the Clyde yesterday afternoon, the day before his nephew's funeral.

A Strathclyde Police spokesman said: "Strathclyde Police can confirm that the body of a man believed to be 46-year-old Colin Ferguson was recovered from the River Clyde around 2.55pm this afternoon, Friday, May 21 2010.

"A post-mortem will take place in due course and a report on the circumstances will be forwarded to the procurator-fiscal.

"Relatives have been informed."

Police said it was too early to say whether or not the death was suspicious.

In the days following Mr Ferguson's disappearance, a major search was carried out involving local officers, police search dogs, a mountain rescue team, an underwater unit and the force helicopter.

He was last seen entering the home he shared with his mother in Owen Avenue, East Kilbride, at about 2:30pm on 11 May.

A memorial service for Jack will be held at his school, Duncanrig Secondary in East Kilbride, today before his funeral in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire.