Police continue investigation after body found during search for missing Falkirk teenager
Last updated 10th Jun 2025
Police are continuing their investigation after a body was discovered in a wooded area near Banknock on Friday during the search for missing Falkirk teenager, Cole Cooper.
While the death is being treated as unexplained, officers have informed the family of 19-year-old Cole, who has been missing for over a month. Formal identification is yet to take place, but dedicated officers are providing support to the family during this difficult time.
Cole was last seen around 8:45 pm on Wednesday, 7 May, at the junction of Glasgow Road and Cumbernauld Road in Longcroft. The last confirmed CCTV footage of him was recorded at approximately 6 am on Sunday, 4 May.
To mark four weeks since that sighting, officers revisited the area on Sunday, 8 June, speaking to over 150 people as part of ongoing enquiries. Police are following up on all information received.
A key focus of the investigation is tracing Cole’s movements between Sunday, 4 May, and Wednesday, 7 May. Officers are appealing for any CCTV or dashcam footage from the wider Banknock area, particularly near the A803 Kilsyth Road.
“Cole Cooper’s disappearance and the circumstances around it remain unexplained,” said Chief Inspector Alex Hatrick. “Extensive enquiries are underway to piece together his last known movements and find answers for his loved ones.”
Police continue to review more than 2,000 hours of CCTV footage and are conducting door-to-door enquiries in Longcroft and Banknock.
Anyone who saw Cole during this time - or who has any information, no matter how small - is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 828 of Friday, 9 May 2025.