Body found in wooded area in search for missing teenager

A body has been found in the search for a teenager who went missing more than four weeks ago.

Cole Cooper, 19, was last seen by a school friend on Wednesday 7 May, in the village of Longcroft near Falkirk, in central Scotland. Mr Cooper was reported missing by his family on Friday 9 May, sparking a major investigation involving helicopters, divers, digital specialists and hundreds of officers.

Police Scotland said a man's body was discovered in a wooded area near Kilsyth Road in Banknock, Falkirk, on Friday afternoon. "Formal identification has yet to take place however the family of missing man Cole Cooper, 19, has been informed," the force said in a statement.

"Enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances." Officers said the last confirmed sighting was at 8.45pm on the A803 at its intersection with Cumbernauld Road, Longcroft, on 7 May. Speaking to Sky News Breakfast earlier this week, his brother Connor said their family felt "lost" and described his sibling's disappearance as "hell...

for all of us". He described him going missing as "very much out of character" and said that even if his brother wanted some space or alone time, he would have notified family or friends beforehand - and would never "put his younger siblings through this".

His mother Wendy Stewart described the situation as "total heartache" and was afraid he may have been "picked up by a car". "Is it actually happening?" she said.

"I have been wanting to wake up and it's just been a big nightmare." Read more from Sky News:Bargain Hunt expert jailedYellow thunderstorm warnings issuedRetired vicar reveals role in 'Eunuch Maker' plot During the search, police visited more than 220 properties and trawled through around 1,000 hours of CCTV footage in a bid to find Mr Cooper. Specialist resources from across the country were mobilised, including a helicopter and drones from the air support unit, as well as officers from the dive and marine unit.

The force previously indicated there was no suggestion of any criminality..