Body found in search for woman, 28, who vanished on Scottish island

A body has been found in the search for a missing woman who vanished on a Scottish island.

Hairdresser Shanahan MacInnes, 28, was last seen at 1.30am on Friday in the Tindill Road area of Balivanich on the Isle of Benbecula, in the Outer Hebrides.

It sparked a major search with more than 60 people joining police, the coastguard and the fire service.

But Police Scotland announced this afternoon that the search had ended in tragedy after a body was found in the Aird area of Benbecula, near to where Shanahan went missing. 

Her family released a statement on social media saying they are 'absolutely heartbroken and devastated'.

'Shanahan's passing was an extremely tragic accident. It was nobody's fault,' they said. 

The Shore Room Hair and Beauty where Shanahan worked announced it would be closing the salon until further notice. 

'We appreciate all the love and support we have received at this time,' they wrote on Facebook.  

Police Scotland said in a statement: 'Around 1.05pm on Sunday, 24 November, 2024, officers were made aware that a body of a woman had been found in the Aird area of Benbecula.

'Formal identification has still to take place, however the family of 28-year-old Shanahan MacInnes, who was missing from Balivanich, has been made aware.

'The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.'

Shanahan was described as 5ft 8in tall, of slim build with long blonde hair. She was last seen she was wearing a burgundy tracksuit and white trainers with a black Nike tick.

Her family had posted on social media that she had left behind her car, purse, phone, car and keys as they urged everyone to be on the lookout for her.  

Inspector Ross McCartney said at the time: 'This is extremely out of character for Shanahan to be missing and we're becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare.

'We're carrying out extensive searches of the local area and I'm appealing to anyone with information on her whereabouts, or who thinks they may have seen her, to get in touch.'