Did Anyone Seen Cole? One Family's Search for Lost Young Man

When young adult Cole Cooper ventured out into a cool May night recently, no-one would have imagined he was in the concluding period of his life.

He had been socializing with companions at a tavern near his residence in Scotland's central area.

But a few hours after, his phone was off - no texts, no online updates.

Once there was zero indication of him after five days, his relatives contacted law enforcement.

Alert: This article contains upsetting details and discussion about suicide

His relatives explained that they informed police from the outset that Cole's disappearance wasn't typical behaviour - and that he had been struggling with his mental health.

"We clarified to the police about Cole's psychological condition. While Cole had not been diagnosed with depression or similar conditions, he did face difficulties," said the parent.

"And they nonetheless did not designate Cole as a critical risk.

"He's never run away... law enforcement have not ever been concerned in my son's life until the period he vanished."

The police initially classified Cole to be moderate risk after conducting an analysis and talking to loved ones and acquaintances.

They said Cole regularly moved between addresses and that it was not unusual for him to be unreachable with his relatives for periods of time.

Cole's relatives felt like they had little option but to take matters into their own hands and launch their own search request.

His family member, Aimee Tennee, said: "We just decided we're going to take charge when they're not paying attention to us."

They utilized digital networks, writing one simple update: "Has anyone seen Cole?"

"The moment that it appeared online, it started to slightly expand," Aimee said.

Cole's situation began circulating across Scotland and beyond. His face was on various TikToks, digital updates and online announcements.

The household created a specific platform, and sightings and details were circulated digitally between many citizens.

The relative said they got many contacts from people who thought they had seen Cole.

The family organised search teams, which involved up to three hundred individuals at moments in the subsequent phases of their investigation.

The absence had shocked the local population in the village, the historic community on the banks of the channel near to where Cole lived. Community members searched the region as they participated in the search.

The household also began to conduct their own personal visits, encouraging people to examine their security cameras.

"It's quite unfortunate that it arrived at a point where we were being forced to resort to that," his aunt said.

"Instead of you focusing on your grief and your despair and your urgency for that individual, you're now in a different role."

Law enforcement says the household had indicated a desire to conduct their own searches and appeals, which they were allowed to do.

"We guided them on this. However, at no time did law enforcement ask or encourage the household to head the investigation or provide updates," a spokesperson said.

The officers had also been looking for Cole.

Several days after he was declared missing, they issued their opening public call - then they elevated his risk rating from intermediate to high.

Search and rescue canine units and aerial devices were utilized, as well as the air support and aquatic specialists.

The family reconstructed the last hours of Cole's life and created a timeline of where the youth had gone, hoping for leads.

They discovered recordings of him from immediately following he exited the bar in the town, in the county, on the specific night.

He was recorded on camera heading to a house party, then afterward a residential surveillance picked him up traveling to and from his parent's home, even though he wasn't present.

The relatives got CCTV footage from a auto repair shop which picked Cole up as he headed down the central avenue at Longcroft, stopping near a transit stop.

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