Paul Johnson

Issued 15 September, 2022

The family of a St Andrews man have renewed an appeal for help finding him a year on from when he was last seen.

Paul Johnson, now 75, left an address on Hay Fleming Avenue in St Andrews around 10pm on Wednesday, 15 September, 2021.

He was then seen a short time later around 10.45pm on Hepburn Gardens, at the junction with Lawhead Road.

Despite extensive searches and enquiries carried out, he has not been seen since.

His family have a released a statement a year on from the when Paul was last sighted.

They said: “At no point when our wonderful Dad, husband and Grandad went missing on 15th September 2021 did it cross our minds that a year on we would still be searching for answers. We continue to move forward with hope.

“Our ability to move forward comes from the incredible support, friendship and care we receive from all around us in our community and beyond. We will always be grateful to you all.”

Sergeant Helen Samuel said: “It has now been one year since Paul Johnson was seen by his family and friends. It has been an incredibly difficult year for them and we have remained in regular contact and will continue to provide them with support.

“Officers carried out extensive searches to locate Paul, including door-to-door enquiries, liaising with other agencies and reviewing CCTV footage. We continue to ask people with any possible sightings or information as to Paul’s whereabouts to get in touch with us.

“Any new information received will continue to be investigated fully and anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 0266 of 16 September, 2021.”

Issued 13 October, 2021

The family of a man who has been missing from St Andrews for the last four weeks have renewed an appeal as enquiries continue to trace him.

Paul Johnson was last seen at around 10.45pm on Wednesday, 15 September, 2021, on Hepburn Gardens in the town.

The 74-year-old had left an address on Hay Fleming Avenue a short time earlier, around 10pm that evening on foot, however has not been seen since.

His family has today issued a statement thanking the local community for their support and urging anyone who can help find Paul to come forward.

They said: “Four weeks ago our dad – who was fit and healthy – left his home on St Andrews for a walk. He was spotted on a couple of cameras walking as if on an evening stroll, was seen by a friend on Hepburn Gardens and has then simply vanished. His whereabouts remain a complete mystery.

“For us and our mum, the last four weeks have been the hardest of our lives. Our dad is a grandfather to nine, soon to be ten, wonderful grandchildren, who are missing him as much as we are.

“We have been helped immensely through this difficult time in the knowledge that the town where mum and dad first met, fell in love and call their home, is full of such wonderful and supportive people. Loved ones, friends and complete strangers have gone above and beyond to help with the search. It is impossible to put into words the gratitude we feel. People across St Andrews, Fife and beyond, as well as Police Scotland and the countless amazing organisations and companies have united to help find dad with the shared aim to bring him home to us.

“The kind words and selfless acts of the community have meant so much to us. We would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to everything you have done for us.

“We are frantically worried and miss dad so much, Please continue to keep him your thoughts and know what we will forever be grateful for your kindness.”

Police enquiries have been continuing in the area since Paul was reported missing, with officers going door to door and studying available CCTV.

Paul is known to be a keen walker and extensive searches have been carried out in St Andrews and the surrounding area of areas he is known to frequent.

Inspector Murray Gibson said: “It has now been four weeks since Paul went missing. This has been an incredibly difficult time for his family and we are keeping in regular contact with them as our enquiries continue.

“Over the past four weeks, extensive areas have been searched by police search teams, partner agencies, and the local community.

“I would take the opportunity to thank everybody who has helped and particularly the local community for their support.

“I would also ask that anyone who may have information or who believes they may have seen Paul at any time to get in touch. Any information could help our enquiries so please come forward if you haven’t already spoken to us.

“We also remain keen to speak to anyone who may have private CCTV or dashcam footage which may show Paul.”

Paul is described as being around 5ft 9in tall and of slim build with grey hair. He was last known to be wearing a blue rain jacket and light coloured walking trousers.

Anyone who believes they may have seen Paul or who has any information which could help trace him is asked to call officers on 101, quoting incident number 0266 of 16 September 2021.

Issued 22 September 2021

Police Scotland is continuing to appeal for information or sightings to help in tracing a man reported missing from St Andrews, a week on since he was last seen.

Paul Johnson was last seen at around 10.45pm on Wednesday, 15 September, 2021, on Hepburn Gardens in the town. He had left an address on Hay Fleming Avenue a short time earlier, around 10pm that evening on foot, however has not been seen since.

The 74-year-old is known to go for walks in expansive areas such as local golf courses, including the Balgove, Craigtoun Country Park, and the Strathkinness area.

Extensive searches have been undertaken in these areas with assistance from search and rescue partners, police dogs, and the Air Support Unit.

Door to door and CCTV enquiries have been conducted in the area Paul was last seen and anyone with private or doorbell CCTV systems in the St Andrews area are asked to check their systems and provide any relevant footage to officers as soon as possible.

Tentsmuir Forest was also searched on Monday 20 September and Tuesday 21 September as an area where Paul is known to frequent.

Tonight (Wednesday, 22 September, 2021), officers will be conducting a revisit of the area where Paul was last seen in Hay Fleming Avenue and Hepburn Gardens between 10pm and midnight. Officers will speak to members of the public and conduct road checks in efforts to piece together his last known movements.

In a statement released through Police Scotland, Paul’s family have said:

“We are all terribly worried about Paul and just want him to come home safe. We would like to thank the police, the community and all other agencies who have assisted in the search thus far, and we continue to appeal to anyone who believes they may have some information to please come forward and report it to police.”

Inspector Stuart Hay said: “It has been a week since Paul went missing and during this time extensive areas have been searched by police search teams, partner agencies, and the local community. We are thankful for the support of local residents and Paul’s family who are being kept fully up to date with this enquiry.

“I’d ask that people note Paul’s description and what he is believed to be wearing. Did you see a man matching this description late on Wednesday evening in the St Andrews area, or have you seen him since? He is known to go for walks however the time of night he left is out of character and as the passage of time increases we are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare.”

Paul is described as being around 5ft 9in tall and of slim build with grey hair. He was last known to be wearing a blue rain jacket and light coloured walking trousers.

Anyone who believes they may have seen Paul or who has any information which could help trace him is asked to call officers on 101, quoting incident number 0266 of 16 September 2021.

Issued 17 September 2021

Officers are renewing an appeal to trace Paul Johnson who remains missing in St Andrews

The 74-year-old was last seen around 10pm on Wednesday, 15 September at his home address in the Hay Fleming Avenue area of the town.

Enquiries have established that he was seen at around 10.45pm on Wednesday on Hepburn Gardens in the area of Lawhead Road East in St Andrews.

He has not been seen this time and police searches have continued in the area since he was reported missing.

Inspector Murray Gibson said: “It is completely out of character for Paul to be out of contact with family for as long as this and we are growing increasingly concerned about his wellbeing as time passes.

“It is believed he left home to go for a walk but has not returned home.

“I would urge anyone who believes they may have seen Paul at any time since 10pm on Wednesday to get in touch as a matter of urgency.

“Anyone who believes they may have seen Paul or who has any information which could help trace him is asked to call 101, quoting incident 0266 of 16 September.”

Paul is described as being around 5ft 9in tall and of slim build with grey hair.

He was last known to be wearing a blue rain jacket and light coloured walking trousers.