Antoine Maury's mum thanks search volunteers

Antoine Maury, who studies music at Edinburgh College, hasn’t been seen since he was spotted running topless near Duddingston Loch last Monday night.

Fears are growing for the 21-year-old French national, sparking two huge search operations over the weekend.

Friends and family even jetted in from Paris on Friday night and Saturday morning to join forces with volunteers from across the Lothians.

They swept through Holyrood Park on Saturday before meeting at Portobello Rugby Club on Sunday morning.

Writing on her Facebook page, Antoine’s mum Laura Vesterinen Maury said: “I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of you that were there with us.

“I have not ever encountered as much of solidarity and caring in my whole life.

“Our search has not brought out any new clues as of Antoine’s whereabouts, but we keep our hopes up.”

She added that “the worst experience of my life” had become “the greatest human chain of love and care”.

Inspector Alan Carson, of Police Scotland’s Edinburgh division, also hailed volunteers for turning up in numbers and urged residents to report any possible sightings to police.

He said: “The response from the public since Antoine’s disappearance has been fantastic.

“So many people have expressed a willingness to help find him as quickly as possible and I know that his family are extremely grateful for the support of the people of Edinburgh.”

Mr Maury’s parents – Laura and dad Pascal – asked residents across the Capital to check sheds and garages.

They said in a statement: “We are desperate to find Antoine and are appealing to anyone who might have information as to where he is or know if someone is sheltering him.

“We want him to know that we love him, he is not in trouble and for him to come home.

“We ask that anyone living in the area to please check their outbuildings and garages again to confirm that Antoine is not hiding there.”

A man seen heading into the park last Monday night, who matched the 21-year-old’s description, was topless.

The Police Scotland marine unit and the police helicopter have previously been brought in to assist the search efforts.

Mr Maury, who lives in college halls, is white, around 6ft, of medium build, with short brown hair, a beard and a fair complexion.

He has a tattoo of a bleeding hand on his forearm.

He was last seen wearing a brown/green bomber jacket with dark chinos and a white beanie hat.

He is thought to have been wearing black and white Vans trainers.

He was born and raised in Paris and moved to St Andrews to study when he was 16.

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