Michelle Wade’s family was informed after a body was found in Dean Park; the death was treated as unexplained

A body has been discovered in a Kilmarnock park during the search for Michelle Wade, who had been missing for nearly two weeks.

The 41-year-old was last seen at around 8.15 pm on Thursday, 25 July, in the North Hamilton Street area of the town. Her disappearance prompted extensive police enquiries and public appeals for information on her whereabouts.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, officers recovered the body of a woman in the Dean Park area at around 5 am. Police Scotland confirmed that Ms Wade’s family has been informed of the discovery.

At this stage, the death is being treated as unexplained. Forensic teams have been seen in the park, and an area has been cordoned off as specialist officers carry out detailed examinations.

Police have not confirmed whether formal identification has taken place, but Ms Wade’s family has been made aware, and they are being supported by officers.

The case had attracted community attention since the initial missing person report. Posters bearing Ms Wade’s photograph had been distributed in Kilmarnock, and local residents reported seeing increased police activity in and around the Dean Park area in recent days.

Officers have not released further details on the circumstances surrounding the discovery, and it is not yet known how long the body had been in the park before being found.

Detectives are working to establish a full timeline of Ms Wade’s movements on the day she disappeared. CCTV footage, witness statements, and search operations have all formed part of the ongoing investigation.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 5 am on Tuesday, 6 August, the body of a woman was recovered in the Dean Park area of Kilmarnock. The family of Michelle Wade, who was reported missing from the Kilmarnock area, have been informed. The death is currently being treated as unexplained, and enquiries are ongoing.”

North Hamilton Street, where Ms Wade was last seen, lies less than a mile from Dean Park. The area is a popular public space, featuring open parkland, woodland paths, and access to the Kilmarnock Water, which runs through the grounds.

The park was closed to the public on Tuesday morning as police continued their work. Uniformed officers stood guard at entrances while forensic specialists worked inside the cordoned area.

Local residents have expressed shock at the news. Many had joined in the effort to help trace Ms Wade, sharing police appeals and keeping watch for any sign of her over the past fortnight.

Authorities have urged the public not to speculate on the circumstances of the death while the investigation is ongoing. A post-mortem examination will be carried out to establish the cause.

Anyone who may have seen Ms Wade on or after 25 July, or who noticed anything unusual in the Dean Park area in recent days, is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number [not provided in release].

For now, Kilmarnock remains in a state of uncertainty, with the focus on determining exactly what happened to Michelle Wade in the days leading up to her death.