Widow seeks answers after missing husband found dead in council HQ

A widow is calling for answers after her husband’s body was found in a council building six days after he was reported missing.

Julie Stephen told the Daily Record she fears her husband Sean’s body may have lain in a toilet cubicle at Edinburgh City Chambers on the Royal Mile the whole time.

Mr Stephen was reported missing on July 1 and his body was found on July 7.

City of Edinburgh Council said it is assisting Police Scotland with their inquiries.

Mrs Stephen told the newspaper: “There’s CCTV footage of him on the phone to me walking up the Royal Mile and into the council building.

“He was healthy but said he was feeling dizzy and sick. He said he was going to get a taxi. I came off the phone when he was going to do the toilet. That was the last time I spoke to him.

“Could he have been saved? These are questions which will be in my head for rest of my life.”

Investigations are under way to establish the circumstances of what happened.

A council spokesperson said: “We’re continuing to assist Police Scotland with their inquiries and can’t comment any further at this stage.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Friends of Mr Stephen have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money towards the cost of his funeral and said they are “devastated” at his death.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “At 9.20pm on Tuesday July 1, we received a report of concern for a 38-year-old man in the Edinburgh area who failed to make an pre-arranged appointment.

“Inquiries were carried out to trace him and he was traced deceased on Monday July 7 in the High Street area of Edinburgh.”