Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Body found in search for missing wife of Scotland rugby star Scott Hastings

Jenny Hastings has been missing since going swimming in Edinburgh on Tuesday

Andre Langlois
Sunday 08 September 2024 11:34 EDT
Jenny Hastings went missing after going swimming in Wardie Bay in Edinburgh
Jenny Hastings went missing after going swimming in Wardie Bay in Edinburgh (Police Scotland/PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A body has been found in the search for the wife of former Scotland rugby star Scott Hastings, who went missing after going swimming in the Firth of Forth.

Jenny Hastings has been missing since Tuesday, when she went swimming in Wardie Bay, Edinburgh.

At around 3.20pm on Saturday the body of a woman was found in the Hound Point area of South Queensferry, police said.

Police Scotland said in a statement: “Formal identification is yet to take place but the family of missing woman Jenny Hastings has been informed.

“There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it received a “report of concern” at about 2.45pm on Tuesday, and a helicopter, Coastguard rescue teams, lifeboats and other nearby vessels all took part in a search.

In a statement on Thursday, the Hastings family said they were “absolutely heartbroken” at the news, adding that Mrs Hastings had “struggled with her mental health for a number of years”.

The statement said: “It’s with huge sadness that we write to advise you that Jenny went for a swim in the Firth of Forth on the afternoon of Tuesday 3 September 2024, and that the incident is being treated by the police as a high-risk missing person case.

“The Hastings family are absolutely heartbroken.

“Jenny and Scott have a huge following of friends from all walks of life including those that work in the media, and we ask that at this moment in time we are allowed to grieve privately with family members.”

The statement was signed “Scott, Corey, Daniel, Kerry-Anne & Ian”.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in