The Disappearance of Mary Ferns
Mary Ferns, 88, disappeared on June 17, 2008, after leaving her home in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland, to go to the Almondvale Shopping Centre. As of February 5, 2025, Ferns remains missing, with her last confirmed sighting via CCTV on Princes Street in Edinburgh approximately two hours after she left home. Skeletal remains found in the River Almond in April 2011 were identified as James Adams in February 2012, not Ferns. Her family made public appeals for information in December 2008, March 2009, June 2010, and October 2013, and a 2009 documentary detailed early police search efforts.
Timeline
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February 2025 — 1 developments
Documentary details early police search efforts for Mary Ferns in Edinburgh
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 makes new TV appeal for information 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
Remains in River Almond identified as James Adams, not Mary Ferns, 15 years after disappearance
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 Found Near River Almond in Livingston
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
Mary Ferns' stepdaughters appeal for information on 'Missing Mums' show
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 featured on BBC's 'Missing Live'; stepdaughter appeals 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
Mary Ferns' family appeals for information six months after her disappearance
Six months after her disappearance, Mary Ferns' family made a desperate appeal for fresh information.
June 2008 — 2 developments
Mary Ferns seen on CCTV walking on Princes Street in Edinburgh
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, leaves home for shopping, does not return
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.