Mum of missing Cole Cooper pleads for 'boy wearing puffer jacket' to come forward
Wendy Stewart has issued a desperate plea for a boy seen wearing a puffer jacket on the night he vanished to come forward, as police continue a major search across Falkirk.
The mum of missing teen Cole Cooper has pleaded for a boy wearing a 'puffer jacket' on the night he was last seen to come forward, as his family continues their search for answers.
Wendy Stewart made a public appeal on Thursday, asking the boy to come forward.
The mum said the boy was seen walking with another male from Longcroft towards Bonnybridge in Falkirk on Wednesday, May 7. Police say this is the day Cole was last seen at around 8.45pm on the A803 at the intersection with Cumbernauld Road.
Mum Wendy said: 'I am pleading for the young boy that was seen on Wednesday May 7, who was wearing a puffer jacket, to please come forward to me.
'You are not in trouble, but I am begging you to come forward so that, as a family, we can rule out events of that evening.
'This boy with the puffer jacket was walking from Longcroft towards Bonnybridge with another male.
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'So if you both can come forward — you will be helping a family that is distraught and wants answers, and wants to rule out specific events that took place on that evening.
'You can message me directly. Thank you.'
Her emotional appeal comes one day after detectives revealed that the 19-year-old had asked a school friend for a lift at that time.
Cole was last seen by his family on May 2 or May 3 and was captured on CCTV at around 6am on May 4 in Longcroft, Falkirk, after unsuccessfully trying to access his father's house following a party in Denny.
Several days later, on the evening of May 7, he was seen again by a friend when he asked for a lift.
He was reported missing by his family two days later, on May 9. According to police, the school friend said there were no concerns about Cole's welfare on May 7 and that he was not given a lift.
Cole is described as around 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build, with short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black puffer-style jacket and black jogging bottoms. Detectives said the investigation remains a missing person's inquiry, not a criminal probe.
A major search has included helicopters, divers, digital and financial investigators, and analysis of 1,000 hours of CCTV footage, alongside door-to-door enquiries at more than 220 homes.
Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.
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