THE stepdad of a Musselburgh man who went missing more than a year ago says that a bench erected in his “loving memory” is not a sign that the family has given up hope of finding him.

Dean Conner was last seen walking near the Promenade, Musselburgh, on December 31, 2021, close to his home, but there has been no trace of him since.

Extensive searches failed to find Dean or give any clues about his whereabouts, leading the family to announce in February that the police had ceased looking for him and that he was officially recorded as ‘missing, presumed dead’.

Although the family has not given up hope of finding Dean – who was 37 when he went missing – they have placed a bench in their garden in his honour.

The plaque on the bench says: ‘In Loving Memory of Our Son Dean Conner. 16/09/1984 – 31/12/2021. Gone but never forgotten. Forever young.’

East Lothian Courier: Dean's family have unveiled a plaque in their garden in Musselburgh in his memory

Gary Finnie, Dean’s stepdad, thanked the community for their support in trying to find him but stressed that this did not indicate that the family had given up.

And he made a fresh appeal for anyone with any information to come forward.

He said: “We have been a little quiet for the last year as we are private people and need to process what has happened and leave things to the authorities, but this isn’t a sign that we have accepted that this is the end of things.

“We are still searching for answers and need to know what happened on December 31, 2021, going into January 1, 2022.

“We are aware that there are a few stories going around and I’m interested to hear from anyone who thinks they might know anything at all.

“It might be a small thing that you think unimportant, but it’s worth getting in touch if you’re not sure as it might help.

“If it’s a bigger thing then I accept you might be a bit worried but please come forward, as it’s information that will be treated in confidence.

East Lothian Courier: Dean Conner, 37, went missing from Musselburgh on January 31, 2021

“I can’t leave it like this and am determined to find out what happened to our boy.

“Regardless of my own feelings, I can’t sit and watch the pain this is causing his mum and little brother.

“Dean deserves better. His mum and brother deserve better. We need to put Dean to rest and find out what happened.”

Mr Finnie has appealed particularly for anyone with information on what happened from 2pm onwards in the area on December 31, 2021.

He said: “Who, where and when, someone knows something that can help put the pieces together.

“I can’t help feeling something is missing and we need to find it.”

Mr Finnie has urged the public to message him via Facebook if they have any information to share that could help.