Body found in search for 'murdered' ex-Fettes teacher Peter Coshan

A body has been found in the search for a former Edinburgh private school teacher who was allegedly murdered.

The remains were found on land close to the A696 near the village of Kirkwhelpington, in Northumberland, on Sunday, September 4.

He is still to be formally identified but Dr Coshan’s family has been made aware, police said.

Detective superintendent Andrew Patrick, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts remain with Peter’s family at this incredibly difficult time and we are continuing to provide them with support.

Police searching for the remains of Peter Coshan. STV News

“I would like to take the opportunity to pass on our thanks to everyone who has come forward with information which has helped our investigation.”

On Wednesday, police launched a cross-border search for the body of the former Fettes College teacher.

Scottish officers were working with colleagues in Northumbria to locate Dr Coshan after he disappeared from the capital earlier this month.

The 75-year was last seen in the Seafield Road area on Thursday, August 11.

Peter Coshan was last seen in the Seafield Road area, around four miles from his home in South Learmonth Gardens. STV News

Police said they believed a dark blue Vauxhall Vectra, which could also appear black, seen in the Borders and Northumberland area on the evening of Monday, August 15, and Tuesday, August 16, could be key to the investigation.

Detectives asked anyone who was travelling in the area around the A7 and A68 roads and may have seen the vehicle in an “unusual manner” to contact officers immediately.

Two men have previously been arrested and charged in connection with Dr Coshan’s disappearance.

Paul Black, 63, and Paul McNaughton, 27, made no plea to a charge that they murdered the teacher after he was last seen in the Seafield Road area, around four miles from his home in South Learmonth Gardens.

Black, who prosecutors say is also known as Joseph Hillary, and his co-accused also made no plea to charges of theft and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Both will appear in court at a later date.

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 1745 of August 12, 2022.

Alternatively information can be passed anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.