The mother of a missing north-east man believes he is dead – and wants a new team of police officers to be given the job of bringing his body home to her.
Shaun Ritchie’s mum Carol-Ann Roy revealed last night his family had twice consulted psychics since he mysteriously vanished more than seven months ago.
And she said they had been told the 21-year-old was “in the area” as search teams hunted for him near Fraserburgh.
Mr Ritchie disappeared near Strichen after a Halloween night out with friends.
Extensive searches of The Greenburn area where he was last seen has been repeatedly scoured, but the only traces of him found have been items of his clothing – shoes, a hoodie and a belt.
His mother is convinced the circumstances surrounding his disappearance are suspicious and says she has lost faith in the ongoing police investigation.
At her home in Fraserburgh last night she said: “I’m sick of them telling me that he’s a missing person and there’s no foul play.
“I just want them to get off their backsides and find my boy.
“They told me this morning that they’re putting the helicopter back out on Saturday, but I don’t see why.
“They say it’s because the water levels have dropped in the area they have already searched, but I’ve been told this for ages.
“It’s also ridiculous that I have to phone the police to ask for an update on my child.
“I know, being his mum, something has happened.
“I went out to where the clothes were found, and there was a caravan just not far away from them.
“I know my son – he would have went to it. I know that for a fact.”
Carol-Ann, who has two other children, added: “I put on a brave face because I have to, my other children don’t want to see me crumbling, but I can’t be strong for them any more.
“At night, when they’re sleeping, I sit here and the tears are never ending.
“Am I ever going to see my child again? It’s terrible that I have to think like that.
“He’s my first born – the child that made me a mum – and I can’t let go, it’s too hard.”
Police have said repeatedly that there has been no evidence to suggest that anything criminal has taken place surrounding Mr Ritchie’s disappearance.
And Fraserburgh-based Inspector Stuart Drummond has said speculation was “unhelpful” to the case.
On social networking site Facebook, the Find Shaun Ritchie site, launched to mark six months since he was seen, has been joined by more than 5,000 people from across the country.
His father, Charlie Reid, has also offered a £5,000 reward for information.
A police spokesman said last night: “Senior officers continue to liaise with Shaun’s family and met with his mother this morning, as is normal practice around long-term missing persons cases.
“This has been one of the largest ever search operations carried out by Police Scotland and there is no evidence of any criminality. Police continue to appeal for anyone with information to contact Police Scotland on 101.”