The Disappearance of Mary Ferns
Police renewed their appeal for information on April 19, 2026, regarding the disappearance of 88-year-old Mary Ferns, who was last seen on June 17, 2008, in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland. As of April 19, 2026, her case remains an unsolved mystery, 15 years after she vanished after leaving her home to go to the Almondvale Shopping Centre. CCTV footage captured Ferns walking along Princes Street in Edinburgh, approximately 17 miles from her home, about two hours after she left Livingston, marking the last confirmed sighting. Skeletal remains found in the River Almond in 2011 were identified in 2012 as belonging to James Adams, not Mary Ferns, ruling out a potential lead.
Timeline
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April 2026 — 1 developments
Police are renewing their appeal for information on the 15th anniversary of Mary Ferns' disappearance.
Police are renewing their appeal for information on the 15th anniversary of Mary Ferns' disappearance. The 88-year-old woman was last seen on June 17, 2008, in Livingston, West Lothian. Her case remains an unsolved mystery.
February 2025 — 1 developments
A 2009 documentary detailed early police search efforts for Mary Ferns, including setting up roadblo…
A 2009 documentary detailed early police search efforts for Mary Ferns, including setting up roadblocks and questioning bus drivers, after she was seen on CCTV in Edinburgh city center.
October 2013 — 1 developments
Mary Ferns' family made a new TV appeal for information in October 2013, five years after her disappearance.
Mary Ferns' family made a new TV appeal for information in October 2013, five years after her disappearance. This marks a new public effort by the family to generate leads in the cold case.
February 2012 — 1 developments
The remains found in the River Almond were identified as belonging to James Adams, a man who had vanished 15 years earlier, confirming they were not Mary Ferns.
The remains found in the River Almond were identified as belonging to James Adams, a man who had vanished 15 years earlier, confirming they were not Mary Ferns.
April 2011 — 1 developments
Skeletal remains were discovered on the edge of the River Almond in Livingston, initially believed to potentially belong to Mary Ferns.
Skeletal remains were discovered on the edge of the River Almond in Livingston, initially believed to potentially belong to Mary Ferns.
June 2010 — 1 developments
On the second anniversary of her disappearance, Mary Ferns' stepdaughters appeared on Lorraine Kelly's 'Missing Mums' show to make an emotional appeal for fresh information.
On the second anniversary of her disappearance, Mary Ferns' stepdaughters appeared on Lorraine Kelly's 'Missing Mums' show to make an emotional appeal for fresh information.
March 2009 — 1 developments
Mary Ferns' case was featured on the BBC's 'Missing Live' program, with her stepdaughter making an appeal for information.
Mary Ferns' case was featured on the BBC's 'Missing Live' program, with her stepdaughter making an appeal for information.
December 2008 — 1 developments
Six months after her disappearance, Mary Ferns' family made a desperate appeal for fresh information.
Six months after her disappearance, Mary Ferns' family made a desperate appeal for fresh information.
June 2008 — 2 developments
CCTV footage captured Mary Ferns walking along Princes Street in Edinburgh, about 17 miles from her home, approximately two hours after she left Livingston.
CCTV footage captured Mary Ferns walking along Princes Street in Edinburgh, about 17 miles from her home, approximately two hours after she left Livingston. This is the last confirmed sighting of her.
Mary Ferns, 88, left her home in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland, at approximately 9:30 AM, telling her husband she was going to the Almondvale Shopping Centre to buy tights.
Mary Ferns, 88, left her home in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland, at approximately 9:30 AM, telling her husband she was going to the Almondvale Shopping Centre to buy tights. She never returned.