Missing woman Alice Byrne 'entered water alone' on day she disappeared

Police believe missing woman Alice Byrne entered water at Portobello beach alone on the morning she disappeared.

The 28-year-old, whose disappearance sparked a huge social media drive for information, was last seen on New Year’s Day in Edinburgh.

She left a friend’s flat on Marlborough Street between 8am and 10am on January 1 before walking towards the promenade and beach nearby.

However, extensive searches have so far failed to find any trace of Ms Byrne and police now believe she went into the water alone.

But they said house-to-house enquiries, searches and reviews of CCTV footage would remain ongoing.

Ms Byrne is described around 5ft 6in with a medium build and short black hair. When last seen, she was wearing a black top, black jeans ripped at the knees and white trainers.

A police spokesperson said: “Extensive enquiries have been carried out as part of our efforts to trace 28-year-old Alice Byrne, including house to house enquiries, CCTV reviews and detailed searches in the local area.

“Alice was last seen leaving a friend’s flat in Marlborough Street, Edinburgh, on the morning of Saturday, 1 January, 2022, and walking towards the promenade and beach.

“Our enquiries have subsequently indicated that Alice entered the water alone on the morning she went missing.

“Efforts to trace her continue and officers are providing support and updates to Alice’s family.”