Missing Ed: Glasses Found

2 January 2013, 10:20 | Updated: 2 January 2013, 12:17

Police searching for a man from Luton who disappeared at a work Christmas party in Essex have found his glasses.

Edward Gillespie, who was known as Ed, was last seen in the early hours of Saturday 22 December 2012 at the Roydon Marina Hotel, Roydon on the Essex-Hertfordshire border.
 
The 38-year-old was reported missing by his relatives when he failed to return his home in Rosslyn Crescent, Luton the next day.
 
When the Luton Town supporter's car was found in the hotel car park, Essex Police started searching the area. His glasses were found on Friday 28 December 2012.
 
High water levels have been hampering a river search but specialist teams continued to scour the riverbanks and waterways of the River Stort for any signs of Mr Gillespie or his clothing. The Air Support Unit has also been involved.
 
Family and friends joined the search and have launched appeals on Twitter, Facebook and You Tube in an attempt to find him. His girlfriend flew in from South Africa to help and fellow Luton fans have also made appeals.
 
On New Year's Day specialist search team officers were joined by Essex Lowland Search and Rescue - a group of professionally-trained volunteers who regularly help police with missing person operations.
 
A police spokesman said: "Mr Gillespie had been attending a company party at the hotel and was due to stay overnight before checking out on Saturday morning. His car and belongings were at the hotel but there was no sign of Mr Gillespie.
 
"We want to hear from anyone who might have seen him, possibly walking around outside the hotel in the early hours of Saturday and we also appeal to all dog walkers or ramblers over the Christmas period to look out for Mr Gillespie, especially if they are walking across the open and remote areas in and around Roydon Marina but please do not put yourself in any danger."
 
Mr Gillespie works for the health and safety company Bureau Veritas. His bed at the hotel had not been slept in and his belongings were still there. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue and grey checked long sleeved top and green trainers.
 
Above: A photograph Essex Police have released of Mr Gillespie wearing a Luton Town football scarf at the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Wembley in 2009.