Key Points
- Police Scotland found the body of a man near the village of Clachan in Argyll and Bute on Sunday afternoon, 8 November 2026.
- Officers made the discovery during a search for missing 22-year-old Edinburgh student Leo Roberts.
- Police have informed the family of Leo Roberts, though formal identification has not yet taken place.
- Investigators are not treating the death as suspicious and will submit a report to the Procurator Fiscal.
- Edinburgh College and regional networks have made counselling and grief support services available for affected students and staff.
EDINBURGH (Edinburgh Daily) November 9, 2026 — Comprehensive student wellbeing and mental health support services have been activated across Edinburgh higher education networks following confirmation that emergency services discovered a body during the search for a missing student.
As reported by Gemma Ryder and Lee Dalgetty of Edinburgh Live, Police Scotland confirmed that the body of a man was located on the afternoon of Sunday, 8 November 2026, near the village of Clachan in Argyll and Bute.
The tragic update follows a multi-day police search for 22-year-old student Leo Roberts, who had been reported missing after failing to return home or contact family members.
As detailed by reporting teams at Edinburgh Live, Police Scotland confirmed that formal identification of the body is still pending. However, officers confirmed that the family of missing 22-year-old student Leo Roberts has been fully updated regarding the latest developments.
What were the details surrounding the disappearance and police investigation?
As reported by Gemma Ryder and Lee Dalgetty of Edinburgh Live, Leo Roberts was last seen getting off the number 926 Glasgow to Campbeltown bus in the village of Clachan at approximately 9:30 pm on Sunday, 1 November 2026.
According to Police Scotland statements cited by Edinburgh Live, Mr Roberts had not been in contact with any family members or friends since that evening and was officially reported missing on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. Police officers issued a public appeal for information on Saturday, 7 November, urging anyone with sightings or travel information to come forward immediately.
A Police Scotland spokesperson stated: “The body of a man was found near Clachan on Sunday afternoon, 8 November 2026. The family of 22-year-old Leo Roberts, who was reported missing from the area, have been informed.”
The police spokesperson further confirmed: “The death is not believed to be suspicious, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.”
“The loss of any student under such heartbreaking circumstances leaves an indelible mark on our entire academic community.”
“We encourage anyone affected by this tragic news to reach out directly to available counselling services.”
What wellbeing support services are available for students and staff?
In response to the tragic conclusion of the search, educational institutions and support groups across the region have reinforced 24/7 welfare and pastoral care packages.
Students and staff affected by grief or distress are being directed to institutional counselling teams, student union advisory channels, and external grief organisations including Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland. Professional welfare staff are providing confidential multi-channel assistance, accessible online, over the phone, and in person across college campuses.
Background of the particular development
The tragic outcome in Clachan highlights ongoing regional efforts by Police Scotland, search organizations, and Scottish higher education institutions to address student welfare and missing person alerts.
Over recent academic years, emergency service protocols between regional police forces and college authorities have focused on early interventions when students unexpectedly lose contact with family, friends, or academic advisors.
Educational bodies across Edinburgh regularly partner with mental health charities and local authorities to establish rapid response welfare systems during missing person inquiries.
Prediction: How this development will affect the student community
This tragic development is expected to lead to an immediate increase in engagement with student mental health services across higher education institutions in Edinburgh and the surrounding regions. In the short term, peer groups, academic staff, and campus communities will experience heightened demand for bereavement support and grief counselling services.
In the longer term, educational institutions across Scotland are likely to review their internal safeguarding, emergency communication protocols, and welfare check mechanisms for students traveling off-campus. Student unions and support networks are anticipated to push for further expansion of 24/7 mental health access points to ensure vulnerable young adults receive timely support during crises.
