POLICE have appealed to Borderers for help in the search for the body of a teacher who was allegedly murdered.
Former biology teacher Dr Peter Coshan, 75, has been missing since Thursday, August 11.
He was last seen in the Seafield Road area of Leith, Edinburgh, at around 11.50pm.
Dr Coshan is believed to be dead and officers are treating his death as murder.
However, his body has not been recovered.
Police are seeking help from Borderers to trace an older style dark coloured Vauxhall Vectra, which has a 57 registration plate.
Detectives believe the movements of the car are central to the investigation.
Officers have asked anyone to get in touch if they saw something “a little odd or out of place”, specifically during the hours of darkness on Monday, August 15 and Tuesday, August 16, in the Borders and Northumberland areas.
Detective superintendent Andrew Patrick, of Police Scotland's major investigation team, said: "This is obviously a very distressing time for Peter's family and our priority is to find him.
"I am therefore seeking the public’s help in trying to find Peter's body.
"Extensive enquiries have been carried out which had led us to explore this area.
"I am appealing for anyone who may have been in the Scottish Borders and Northumberland, including travelling on the A7, the A68 or any other roads in these areas, during the hours of darkness on either Monday, August 15 and Tuesday, August, 16.
“That evening and early morning was the end of the very hot weather we had, and a warning for thunderstorms was issued. I would ask anyone who may have been in these areas to think back to that time, you may remember it due to the unusual hot weather and thunderstorms.
"I believe the areas of the Scottish Borders and Northumberland are key to helping us find Peter, so please take time to think back and consider if you saw a 57 plate dark coloured Vauxhall Vectra in and around those areas.
"Did you see something a little odd or out of place, perhaps you noticed a car parked somewhere, or even off road, do you remember anything which struck you as odd at the time?
"I am also keen to speak to anyone who travels in these areas regularly and has a dash cam.
"Please check the footage as it may have captured something which could prove vital to our ongoing enquiries to locate Peter."
Two men have appeared in court charged with the murder of the former Fettes College teacher.
Paul Black, 63, and Paul McNaughton, 27, have also been charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice and theft.
The men made no plea when they appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
A website has been set up that gives members of the public access to a form to send information directly to the major investigation team.
You can select to remain anonymous when submitting information.
The portal can be accessed at: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT22S27-PO1
Alternatively, anyone with information can call Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 1745 of August 12, 2022.
Information can also be passed anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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