Police have confirmed that the body discovered near the A899 in Livingston has now been identified as that of missing man, Matthew Elmer.
A member of the public discovered the body at around 2.30 pm on Tuesday 8 March.
The 23-year-old was last seen in Poplar Grove on Saturday 13 February, and had not been in touch with family or friends since this time.
His death is believed to be non-suspicious, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Matthew’s family have today issued the following statement through Police Scotland:
“As a family, we wish to thank the local community and communities further afield for their efforts in tracing Matthew.
“We especially wish to thank Matthew’s friends and relatives for all their support and their efforts to find him.
“We would also like to thank Police Scotland for their ongoing support since Matthews’s disappearance.
“Our family now need time to come to terms with what has happened to Matthew, and ask for privacy so that we may grieve.”
Chief Inspector Stevie Dolan, West Lothian Area Commander, said: “Our condolences are with Matthew’s family and friends at this very difficult time. We will continue to provide them with all the necessary support and assistance that they require.
“I want to thank the local community for all their efforts during our extensive search operation to trace Matthew.
“While Matthew’s death is non-suspicious, we’re still working to establish the full circumstances surrounding his disappearance and we’d urge anyone who believes that they may have seen him since 13 February, or has information about his movements during this time, to get in touch.”
Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
