Found Deceased UK - Liam Smith, 16, Aberdeen, Scotland, 17 Nov 2018

Could this be the post you're referring too perhaps?

From The Scottish Sun 25 November 2019:

A LAD matching the description of missing teen Liam Smith has reportedly been sighted heading to Inverurie with an older woman.

The 16-year-old Aberdeen schoolboy, described as white, 6ft 4ins tall and of slim build, has been missing from the Queen’s Road area since Saturday November 18. Liam Smith has been missing for over a week. But a post from a Donna Robson on Facebook brought fresh hopes that the schoolboy is still on the move.

The post read: “I hope the info I gave police will turn up some new leads. “I think I saw him on the 37 bus heading to Inverurie on Thursday 22 at 11.15 am approx. “He was wearing a north face jacket, and tried covering his face but looked at me before sitting down.



I'm from the area and the sighting of the young lad on the bus with the older woman was widely reported in the local press about 10 days or so after Liam was last seen. It was quickly established by Police Scotland North East Division, who reported on their website and FB and in the local press, that the young person on the bus had been traced and was in fact not Liam. The only other possible sighting reported in the local press was about 2 weeks after Liam was last seen and was again in the Inverurie or Kemnay area, a tall young lad walking in the dark along a road who appeared to hide his face when the driver passed by. That one was confirmed as being a young lad who lived nearby. As far as I know there have been no other sightings reported in the press although in the couple of weeks after he went missing almost 200 leads were received directly by the police. I have been unable to find links to the articles in the local press as their archives are notoriously bad but one is the Evening Express and the other is The Press & Journal (which is behind a pay wall). Lots of unconfirmed gossip on Missing Liam Smith FB page.

There are still regular updates from Police Scotland letting everyone know that the search is ongoing and that Liam has not been forgotten. They took one day off on Christmas Day. People continue to share numerous posts on SM everyday to keep his name and face in the forefront of people's minds. It's not something that happens often in the area. Usually missing teens are found or return home within a matter of days. My own son says that Liam has been mentioned in SE classes and assemblies at his own school in Aberdeen. I think that the whole city and shire is holding thoughts for his mum Alix in their hearts and wishes that they could bring Liam home by shear will. It's heartbreaking.
 
I'm from the area and the sighting of the young lad on the bus with the older woman was widely reported in the local press about 10 days or so after Liam was last seen. It was quickly established by Police Scotland North East Division, who reported on their website and FB and in the local press, that the young person on the bus had been traced and was in fact not Liam. The only other possible sighting reported in the local press was about 2 weeks after Liam was last seen and was again in the Inverurie or Kemnay area, a tall young lad walking in the dark along a road who appeared to hide his face when the driver passed by. That one was confirmed as being a young lad who lived nearby. As far as I know there have been no other sightings reported in the press although in the couple of weeks after he went missing almost 200 leads were received directly by the police. I have been unable to find links to the articles in the local press as their archives are notoriously bad but one is the Evening Express and the other is The Press & Journal (which is behind a pay wall). Lots of unconfirmed gossip on Missing Liam Smith FB page.

There are still regular updates from Police Scotland letting everyone know that the search is ongoing and that Liam has not been forgotten. They took one day off on Christmas Day. People continue to share numerous posts on SM everyday to keep his name and face in the forefront of people's minds. It's not something that happens often in the area. Usually missing teens are found or return home within a matter of days. My own son says that Liam has been mentioned in SE classes and assemblies at his own school in Aberdeen. I think that the whole city and shire is holding thoughts for his mum Alix in their hearts and wishes that they could bring Liam home by shear will. It's heartbreaking.

Thanks for posting this, it's good to have some local knowledge about Liam's case. What's the general feeling in the community about Liam, do people think he could be being sheltered by someone in the area?
 
Thanks for posting this, it's good to have some local knowledge about Liam's case. What's the general feeling in the community about Liam, do people think he could be being sheltered by someone in the area?

I wouldn't like to speculate on what other people think. I do know that in Scotland generally the Police release very little information in investigations. They only make public things they feel will help an investigation. If Police Scotland are still searching they believe they can find him, or evidence of him being there.

Edited for spelling error
 
So if the police are still out searching, do we know Ware they are searching exactly and what kind of search , ie dogs ,mountain rescue, drones, helicopter etc etc , it would be interesting to know what scale the search is still at,
 
Liam Smith missing: Search for teen in Aberdeen continues | Daily Star

Desperate search for Aberdeen teen Liam Smith who went missing 10 weeks ago

[SBM]

Chief Inspector Martin Mackay: "Our inquiries still suggest he would have travelled to the Crathes area. We urge residents, particularly in this area, to remain vigilant and report anything unusual to police.

"We know that many people have offered to assist with searches, however we carry out these operations in a highly specialised, methodical way with officers who are trained and experienced."
 
Liam Smith missing: Search for teen in Aberdeen continues | Daily Star

Desperate search for Aberdeen teen Liam Smith who went missing 10 weeks ago

[SBM]

Chief Inspector Martin Mackay: "Our inquiries still suggest he would have travelled to the Crathes area. We urge residents, particularly in this area, to remain vigilant and report anything unusual to police.

"We know that many people have offered to assist with searches, however we carry out these operations in a highly specialised, methodical way with officers who are trained and experienced."

If, we had a close family member missing for weeks & no contact from the missing & loved family member and/ or no definite sightings..........the next step (for our family) would be to hire a private investigator. JMO
 
I can't understand how Liam a 16 yo can avoid detection for almost 3 mos. I believe that Liam is being helped by an older person who gained his confidence but might have a criminal intent. I hope I am wrong about this and Liam is a smart teenager and has found way to avoid detection. Why would Liam runaway from home and his home situation has been kept private in the media.

I have not heard much from Liam's father during this ordeal. Is he still married to Liam's mother or are they divorced/seperated which might have led to Liam's departure. I don't believe Liam's departure was a one day random decision but was planned weeks in advance JMO.
 
The fact they haven't found Liam makes me think he left the Crathes castle area. There are very large sections of dense commercial forestry and rugged terrain not far from this area. I believe they will find him eventually, but its so vast that it will probably be when the weather warms up and people are doing more outdoor activities.
 
I don't believe Liam is in the surrounding area but could have gone to London becuase it would be easier to blend into crowded city. Its obvious to me that Liam doesn't want to be found and I think the answers are closer to home. This could be human trafficking issue but I believe Liam has some type of connection to those involved in his disappearance.
 
Things are far to quiet to make any sense, no police up date, apart from still looking in the same area for the last 4 months , no public appeal by family or police, another lost and forgotten person, that is if he is still actually missing, who knows ,very strange case!! !
 
I don't believe Liam is in the surrounding area but could have gone to London becuase it would be easier to blend into crowded city. Its obvious to me that Liam doesn't want to be found and I think the answers are closer to home. This could be human trafficking issue but I believe Liam has some type of connection to those involved in his disappearance.

I'm not sure why you think a teenager from Aberdeen, Scotland would go to London? More likely Edinburgh or Glasgow. But why would he do that via a country bus and a walk in the woods? As for human trafficking - teenagers are not likely being snatched from rural areas of Northeast Scotland.
 
MISSING PERSON LIAM SMITH - PUBLIC THANKED FOR ITS SUPPORT

A statement has today been issued on behalf of the family of Liam Smith three months on from when he was last seen.

"It is now three months since Liam was last seen and it has been and continues to be an incredibly difficult time for us.

"We have been overwhelmed by the support from members of the public and the communities of the North East. While we are very grateful to everyone who has contacted us with good intentions and offers to help we would respectfully request that we are now not directly contacted and that our privacy is respected.

"Understandably it has been a highly stressful and emotional time since Liam left home and as a family we are struggling to come to terms with his disappearance. With this in mind, we ask that all new information is directed to the police and not the family.

"We recognise that many people have been personally affected by this and have created messages to share online in order to raise awareness of Liam's disappearance, which is something we appreciate greatly.

"We are extremely grateful to the police and those who have supported their inquiries including the Mountain Rescue Teams of Braemar and Aberdeen. We know that the information available to them has been fully investigated and that extensive searches have been carried out.

"While we continue to hope that Liam will be found we are being realistic about the challenges around finding him.

"We believe that Liam wasn't feeling himself at the time he went missing and we would encourage any teenager who is feeling overwhelmed to speak to someone about their feelings."

Liam, 16, was reported missing from the Queen’s Road area of Aberdeen on Sunday, 18 November, 2018, having last been seen there on Saturday, 17 November. He was captured on CCTV entering Union Square later that afternoon and boarded a 202 Stagecoach bus for Deeside at 1.11pm. He bought a ticket for Raemoir Road in Banchory but a fellow passenger reported that he got off in the Crathes area.

As part of enquiries to trace him intensive searches have been carried out and have focused on the Crathes and Banchory areas.

Specialist resources including the Police Scotland helicopter, specialist search dogs, police search advisors and the Dive and Marine Unit have been utilised. These searches have been supported by Mountain Rescue Teams from Aberdeen and Braemar.

Areas of water, woodland, fields and farmland has been searched but sadly there has been no trace of Liam or his belongings.

Chief Inspector Martin Mackay said: “The response from the public to our appeals has been overwhelming and the communities of Crathes and Banchory have been particularly supportive. We would like to thank all those who have continued to support us.

“Extensive enquiries and intelligence-led searches have been carried out which has been challenging due to the difficult terrain.

“Reviews of the enquiry have been carried out and will continue as is standard with any long-term missing person investigation. At this stage we continue to search but that will be scaled back over the next few days as we conclude the activity at Crathes. The investigation will remain open and any new information will be thoroughly reviewed and assessed.

“More than 200 sightings of Liam have been reported to us and every bit of information we have received we have followed up. However, our enquiries still suggest Liam would have travelled to the Crathes area and we urge anyone, particularly residents or those who work in this area to remain vigilant and report anything unusual to us.
“We remain in contact with Liam’s family and will keep them updated.”

If anyone has been affected by the investigation Breathing Space can be contacted by calling 0800 83 85 87. More information is available here Breathing Space is a free confidential service for people in Scotland. Open up when you're feeling down - phone 0800 83 85 87

North East Police Division
 
"We believe that Liam wasn't feeling himself at the time he went missing and we would encourage any teenager who is feeling overwhelmed to speak to someone about their feelings."

Very telling comments from his family. Bless them, they must have hit the end of whatever adrenaline gets you through those first few days and weeks. So sad.
 
Three months since he was reported missing, Police Scotland say they will begin to scale back the search for 16-year-old Liam Smith. More than 200 sightings have been reported to Police, who say 'every bit of information we have received, we have followed up.'

0CAFB3D6-DBA5-47E9-A3A7-1F39B94CCAD4.jpeg

Davy Shanks on Twitter

A statement on behalf of Liam's family said: "While we continue to hope that Liam will be found we are being realistic about the challenges around finding him.

Davy Shanks on Twitter

"We believe that Liam wasn't feeling himself at the time he went missing and we would encourage any teenager who is feeling overwhelmed to speak to someone about their feelings."

Davy Shanks on Twitter
 

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