Death of missing teenager Cole Cooper treated as 'unexplained'

Police are treating the death of a 19-year-old man reported missing from Falkirk as "unexplained".

The family of Cole Cooper were informed about the discovery of a body near his home village of Banknock on Friday, four weeks after went missing following a night out with friends.

Formal identification is yet to take place, but officers said they were working to "piece together" his last movements.

Police Scotland said Cole's family were being supported by dedicated officers.

Cole was reported missing on Friday 9 May – five days after leaving a party in Denny in the early hours of the morning.

Ch Insp Alex Hatrick encouraged anyone who had not already spoken to officers to come forward and do so.

He said: "Cole Cooper's disappearance and the circumstances leading up to it remain unexplained.

"We remain in regular contact with the family to ensure they are kept up to date with all aspects of the investigation.

"Extensive inquiries are ongoing to piece together Cole's last movements and find answers for his loved ones."

Cole was seen on CCTV approaching the door of his father's house in Mayfield Road, Longcroft, at about 05:49 on 4 May, before leaving about four minutes later.

He was later captured on CCTV at a number of other locations in the nearby area, including on Cumbernauld Road at 06:00.

A witness told police they spoke to Cole at about 20:45 on 7 May on the A803 Glasgow Road at the intersection with Cumbernauld Road in Longcroft.

A body was found in nearby woodland on Friday.

Police are investigating his movements between 4 and 7 May and are hoping to access further CCTV footage from the wider Banknock area close to the A803 Kilsyth Road.

Officers are already in the process of examining more than 2,000 hours of CCTV footage, while door-to-door inquiries are ongoing in the Banknock and Longcroft areas.

Cole's family announced plans to hold a vigil for the teenager.

Details are to be confirmed in due course.