'Upset and relief' after body find

Kathleen Linn said she was upset at the news

The widow of a tools salesman who was missing for almost nine months says she felt relieved but "numb" after his body was found.

Gary Linn, from Kilsyth in Stirlingshire, was last seen visiting a customer in August last year.

There was no further trace of the 38-year-old until a body was discovered near the town of Temple in Midlothian on Friday evening.

I'm just relieved that he's been found, but I feel numb as well

Kathleen Linn

The human remains were found by a member of the public who was clearing a path through undergrowth near the Braidwood overbridge beside the South Esk river.

A post mortem examination and forensic tests were being carried out at Stirling Royal Infirmary.

But Inspector Bill Park of Central Scotland Police said: "Although forensic examinations still have to confirm the position, we are satisfied this is the body of Gary Linn."

Speaking after the discovery, Mr Linn's widow Kathleen, 39, said: "I'm just relieved that he's been found, but I feel numb as well.

"I'm upset... there was always that wee bit at the back of your mind that he might be alive.

Gary Linn went missing last August

"We're just relieved he's been found, we will be able to lay him to rest."

A service had been held in Kilsyth last month to help Mrs Linn and their sons, Christopher, 11, David, 10, and five-year-old Shaun, come to terms with his disappearance.

Mr Linn was last seen alive on 31 August visiting customers on an industrial estate in Falkirk.

His van was found the following day burned out near Edgelaw reservoir in Midlothian, with thousands of pounds of stock and takings missing.

Six men have since appeared in court accused of stealing the van and tools.

Following the discovery of the body, police said a 29-year-old Edinburgh man had been arrested in connection with the death.