The sister of missing Fraserburgh man Shaun Ritchie is pleading with officers to launch a fresh search for her brother on his 28th birthday.
Nicole Shand told The Press and Journal that her family is going through a “living nightmare” as they still await answers more than seven years on from Shaun’s disappearance.
Shaun was last seen at Kersiehill Farm, near Strichen, on Halloween night 2014 after travelling to the remote location in a van with seven other people.
“Another year has passed and we think about him again not being here with us when he should be here enjoying his birthday,” said Nicole.
“It’s a very hard time of year for me and Shaun’s family.
“We just want the closure, answers surrounding what happened to Shaun and want him found after nearly eight years now.”
Alleged axe attack
Despite a huge search operation by Police Scotland, Shaun has never been found.
Last year, The Press and Journal released a documentary Missing from The Broch: The Disappearance of Shaun Ritchie, which uncovered new evidence about the case.
It was proven that there had been an alleged altercation with an axe at the farm on the night Shaun disappeared as well as a dispute in the van on the way to Kersiehill.
After the release of the documentary, The Press and Journal spoke to an expert grave finder, Dr Alastair Ruffell, who had helped in the original search for Shaun.
Dr Ruffell explained that he had new experimental sonar drone technology which he believed could be useful in a fresh search for the missing Fraserburgh man.
‘Conduct a new search’
The scientist, who has helped uncover IRA graves, also stated that due to the nature of the terrain around where Shaun was last seen on October 31, only 10-20% of the area he would have liked to have searched was covered.
He said he did not believe his original search using ground penetrating radar could be classified as “high-assurance” because of those issues.
Since those talks between The Press and Journal and Dr Ruffell, Shaun’s family have been calling for Police Scotland to launch a fresh search using the new technology.
Speaking on Shaun’s 28th birthday, Nicole said: “We need something as a family struggling through this living nightmare.
“I feel the police should act on what the expert IRA grave finder man said and conduct a new search.
‘Worst pain ever’
“I always say it’s one thing to lose a family member but to lose someone and never know their whereabouts is the worst pain ever.
“I want to keep pushing on and want to try get those answers try and do whatever I can for my brother Shaun.”
In December last year, Charlie Reid, Shaun’s dad, also asked Police Scotland to work with Dr Ruffell.
“I would like to think that that they (Police Scotland) would work with him (Dr Alastair Ruffell) and get it done because at least then we could maybe find Shaun or rule out the possibility of him being in that area,” he said.
CI Martin MacDougall, who is leading the investigation, stated last year that talks were taking place between Police Scotland and Dr Ruffell over the possibility of launching a fresh search.
After being contacted by The Press and Journal on Monday, Police Scotland say they are still reviewing the offer of further assistance – six months after talks began.
‘May result in further searches’
Chief Inspector Martin Macdougall said: “I fully appreciate how hard it is for Shaun’s family particularly around birthdays and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time.
“An offer for further specialist search expertise has been received and we are currently reviewing the benefit of this which may result in further targeted searches.
“Shaun’s family will be kept up to date with this.”
He added: “Our inquiry into Shaun’s disappearance remains one of the largest ever missing person operations in the history of Police Scotland.
“Extensive and detailed searches were conducted with assistance from every specialist air, land and water resource, with more than 200 officers covering more than 22km of ditches, rough terrain and large water areas.
“We were also assisted by the expertise of a forensic soil scientist and geoscientist, while we pursued every potential lead with thorough intelligence-led enquiries.
“I would further encourage that should anyone have any new information to please contact us directly on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.”
You can read more about the Shaun Ritchie case here.
