Image released of how toddler who vanished 50 years ago may look today
A fresh appeal for information about the disappearance of Sandy Davidson has been made on the 50th anniversary of the day he went missing from his grandmother’s garden
An image of how a Scottish toddler who vanished 50 years ago may look today has been released by police as his sister said it was “beyond heartbreaking” not to know what happened to her big brother.
Sandy Davidson was last seen in his grandmother’s garden in the Bourtreehill area of Irvine, North Ayrshire, on April 23, 1976.
It is thought Sandy, who was playing with his then two-year-old sister Donna on a sunny afternoon, may have left the garden to follow the family dog out onto the street.
Several theories have circulated as to what happened to the little boy, including that he fell into the nearby Annick river or walked away holding the hand of an unknown man.
On the 50th anniversary of his disappearance, forensic artists at Scottish Police Authority have released an image showing what Sandy might look like now, as the search for answers continues.
His sister urged anyone with information to come forward.
Donna, a mother-of-three, said: “It is hard after 50 years and distressing that I still don’t know what happened to my brother.
“To have no answers to what seems like a thousand questions is beyond heartbreaking.
“Sandy is very much in my thoughts and as a family we are urging anyone who can help to get in touch.”
Two years ago, Donna said the family believed “in their hearts” that Sandy was no longer alive but said any information about the disappearance would help them “come to terms “ with their loss.
The family felt a lot of anger - and not a lot of hope - surrounding the ongoing absence of answers as to what happened that day, she said.
“It is the not knowing that gets to you,” she added.
Previously, a workman on a nearby building site for a new primary school said he believes he saw Sandy walking with a man and holding his hand, but didn’t then suspect anything was wrong given the boy seemed happy and was not struggling.
A huge search by police and members of the community was launched at the time, with work on new homes and the primary school suspended. Part of the building site for the school was dug up, with the school now fully demolished.
Despite efforts, no sighting of Sandy has ever been made.
In November 2013, someone born around the same time as Sandy came forward and underwent a DNA test. However it only proved he was not the missing boy.
Detective Inspector Louise White said: “Sandy remains a missing person and our thoughts are very much with his family on this momentous anniversary of his disappearance. It is a very hard time for them.
“Someone must have seen Sandy that day and the answers his family need are out there somewhere. Someone must know something and I would urge them to contact us.
“Even the smallest piece of information could help us find out what happened to Sandy, so please get in touch if you can assist.
“Anything new will be thoroughly assessed so contact us on 101 if you have anything to tell us, no matter how insignificant you might think your information is.”
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