Janet McKay death: Family praises police after search for missing woman
The family of pensioner Janet McKay have acknowledged the support of the officers involved in the search for the 88-year-old as they spoke of their devastation following her death.
The body of Ms McKay, who suffered from dementia, was discovered in Clydebank yesterday, more than a week after she was seen leaving her home in the Knightswood area of Glasgow.
Police Scotland subsequently apologised to her relatives after it emerged information about a possible sighting of the woman last Friday was not passed on to call-handling centres or the inquiry team.
The issue has been referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC).
Ms McKay's relatives said they would not comment on the ongoing investigation.
In a statement issued via Police Scotland, her family said: "We, as a family, are devastated to hear the news of our dear mother who will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her.
"We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support from the many officers involved in the search to locate our mother. We have been constantly updated on the progress of the investigation throughout.
"We are aware of the internal investigation ongoing which remains a matter for the relevant authorities and not something we would wish to comment on.
"We would respectfully ask the media to give us privacy to grieve."
Scotland's Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has said Ms McKay's family deserve a "thorough and timely investigation" into what happened. Opposition politicians have called for answers.
The incident follows a review of Police Scotland's procedures launched after the deaths of John Yuill and Lamara Bell earlier this year, who lay undiscovered for days despite a sighting of their crashed car off the M9 being reported to a police control-room.
Meanwhile, Ms McKay's son, George McKay, said the police had been very supportive towards the family.
He told BBC Scotland: "We've been very happy with the way the police have dealt with it - they've been very supportive to us.
"Any wider issues are a matter for Police Scotland but we have no criticisms to make of them."
