Family visit spot where missing mum’s leg found as son pays emotional tribute

The family of a woman who was missing for almost a year have paid a heartbreaking visit to the spot where her remains were found.

Police confirmed yesterday that a human leg found in the River Irwell belonged to 57-year-old Marie Scott who disappeared from her home in Hale just before last Christmas.

Marie’s family visited the spot in Salford where the grim discovery was made last Wednesday to lay flowers and say prayers, her son has revealed.

Stuart Scott paid a heartbreaking tribute, saying the family is reminiscing about the times they spent together.

He said they are heartbroken, devastated and hurt.

The family were informed of the heartbreaking development yesterday and are now being supported by specialist officers.

Stuart Scott, told the Manchester Evening News: "We’re just devastated. Absolutely heartbroken, all of us.

"The police got in touch with us and told us yesterday. It was a horrible shock.

"We’re all just so upset and hurt.

"We have been down there today as a family.

"We dropped some flowers into the water and said some words and prayers.

"It felt a bit surreal.

"We had obviously seen photographs of the area but it was completely different experience.

"But we said some words and paid our respects."

He added: "Now we’re all together and are reminiscing about some of the brilliant times we had together.

"We know the police have worked hard and it’s likely answers will come further down the line.

"But for now it’s just about mourning her and staying strong for each other."

Stuart paid an emotional tribute to his mum who he said was an amazing mother and grandmother.

"She was just the most incredible mum," he said.

"She was from a very loving family. She loved us but we loved her as well.

"She was a wonderful mum and a great grandma. She was so bubbly, always the life and soul of the party.

"It’s going to be a really tough time for all of us. We’re just trying to stay strong as a family."

Mum-of-two and grandmother Marie vanished after leaving her home in Hale around 12:30pm on Monday December 18 last year.

She has missed her 41st wedding anniversary in February and her grandson’s birthday in April since her disappearance.

It was established she had taken a tram to Castlefield and later travelled to Victoria station and then got a cab to Bury, travelling first to Heaton Park and then The Rock Shopping centre, close to where the last sighting of her was.

Stuart, dad Jim, brother James and the rest of the family launched a painstaking appeal to try and find their mum, visiting places she was spotted on the day she disappeared handing out leaflets and putting up posters.

And despite yesterday’s development he says the family cannot thank the public enough for all their help over the last 12 months.

"I just want to say, on behalf of myself and the whole family, thank you to the public who have been incredible. They have helped us from day one in the search for mum" he said.

"But not just last year, recently as well.

"And today I’ve been inundated with messages as well. I can’t thank them enough."

The leg was found in the Irwell after a dog walker raised the alarm last Wednesday, November 28.

Underwater search teams spent several hours combing the river before the remains were removed for examination.

Yesterday police said a DNA match had confirmed it belonged to Marie.

GMP say enquiries are continuing but at this stage there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding her disapperance.

A file is being prepared and will be passed to the coroner, GMP have confirmed.

Detective Inspector Simon Akker, of GMP’s Trafford Borough, said: “This is an absolutely heart-breaking development in the investigation to find Marie and her family are understandably distraught about the news.

“Having been personally involved in the search to find Marie and met with her family on a number of occasions, I know the devastating impact this will have on them.

“Our efforts now will focus on doing everything we can to ensure we can provide the family with the support and answers they deserve.”

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