The wife of former Scotland rugby international Scott Hastings has been missing for days after going swimming in the Firth of Forth, her “devastated” family said.
Jenny Hastings has not returned after going swimming in Wardie Bay in Edinburgh on Tuesday afternoon.
In a statement, the Hastings family announced the news “with great sadness”, adding that Mrs Hastings “has struggled with her mental health for a number of years”.
The statement signed by “Scott, Corey, Daniel, Kerry-Anne & Ian” said: “We miss our Jenny. She leaves a gaping hole in all our hearts and we hope she is returned to us safely so we can celebrate her remarkable life.”
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it received a “report of concern” at around 2.45pm on Tuesday and that a helicopter, coastguard rescue teams, lifeboats and other nearby vessels all took part in a search.
However, the agency indicated that the search yielded no results and was called off at 8:20 p.m. that evening.
If you would like to speak to someone, the Samaritans can be reached on 116 123 or by sending an email [email protected].
Key Points
-
Scott Hastings' wife disappears after swimming in Firth of Forth, 'heartbroken' family say
-
Full statement from the Hastings family
-
Jenny Hastings has been struggling with her mental health for 'a number of years,' her family says
Social media post shows Jenny Hastings swimming in Wardie Bay
Friday, September 6, 2024 4:21 PM , Alex Croft
A photo shows Jenny Hastings swimming in Wardie Bay, Edinburgh in March.
Six months later she went swimming at the same spot, but then disappeared.
Her family said Wardie Bay was a “normal and healing place” for Mrs Hastings.
ICYMI: Full Statement From The Hastings Family
Friday, September 6, 2024 2:55 PM , Alex Croft
In a statement, the Hastings family said they were “absolutely heartbroken” by the news, adding that Jenny had “struggled with her mental health for a number of years”.
The statement said: “It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that Jenny went swimming in the Firth of Forth on the afternoon of Tuesday 3 September 2024 and the incident is being treated by police as a high risk missing person case.
“The Hastings family is devastated.
“Jenny and Scott have a large group of friends from all walks of life, including those in the media. We ask that we be allowed to grieve privately with family members at this time.”
“We kindly request that you refrain from sending us direct messages and/or posting on social media for the time being until further news is available.
“We know you all care about us very much and as soon as we hear an update from the police, we will inform you.
“We miss our Jenny. She leaves a gaping hole in all of our hearts and we hope she returns to us safely so we can celebrate her remarkable life.”
The statement is signed “Scott, Corey, Daniel, Kerry-Anne & Ian”.
Rugby legend Brian Moore shares his grief
Friday, September 6, 2024 2:12 PM , Alex Croft
Pictured: Edinburgh Bay where Jenny Hastings was last seen
Friday, September 6, 2024 1:25 PM , Alex Croft
Everything We Know About Jenny Hastings' Disappearance
Friday, September 6, 2024 12:09 , Alex Croft
We know that Jenny Hastings went swimming in Wardia Bay, in the Firth of Forth in Edinburgh, on Tuesday 3 September, but did not make it back to land.
A 'Notice of Concern' was issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency at around 2.45pm on Tuesday, before a helicopter, coastguard rescue teams, lifeboats and other nearby vessels began a search.
But the search was called off at 8:20pm that evening with no sign of Mrs Hastings.
On Thursday, the family released a statement saying they were “devastated” and announcing the news of her disappearance “with great sadness.”
They added that she had “struggled with her mental health for a number of years”.
Jenny Hastings has been outspoken about her mental health struggles and has previously launched positive mental health campaigns with her husband Scott.
Seven years ago, she disappeared for 36 hours while suffering from depression, then went to the police station and needed help to get home.
Jenny Hastings has campaigned for positive mental health
Friday, September 6, 2024 09:50 , Alex Croft
Mrs Hastings has always been outspoken in the media about her mental health problems.
She campaigns to break the stigma and encourage people with poor mental health to take active steps to improve their wellbeing.
In 2017, she and her husband, rugby star Scott Hastings, led the 100 Streets Challenge in aid of Support in Mind.
The goal was to get people to walk, jog or cycle 100 streets to encourage outdoor activities.
“I know I can talk to people and maybe that's one of the messages we're trying to get across,” Ms Hastings said of the challenge.
“We can all talk to people. The stigma is definitely going away – even the Royals are talking about mental health.”
Jenny Hastings has been struggling with her mental health for 'a number of years,' her family says
Friday, September 6, 2024 09:05 , Tara Cobham
Jenny Hastings “has struggled with her mental health for a number of years,” her family said in the statement announcing her disappearance.
Ms Hastings has spoken in interviews in the past about her mental health struggles.
She and Mr Hastings also previously set up a charity campaign to keep people active and improve their mental wellbeing.
Mrs Hastings had previously disappeared for 36 hours as she suffered from depression
Friday, September 6, 2024 09:02 , Tara Cobham
Jenny Hastings previously revealed she disappeared from her Edinburgh home for 36 hours after suffering from depression.
Seven years ago, she and Scott Hastings told the BBC: “I just needed to get away from everyone. I felt like I was in everyone's way and I needed to have some time to myself without telling anyone. I didn't want to interact with anyone.”
She became scared because she couldn't reach anyone, because she had left her phone at home. Eventually she got help by going to the police station.
Mr Hastings told the announcer: “The way she gets out of the bad times in her life is to get out and get some fresh air.”
Full statement from the Hastings family
Friday, September 6, 2024 08:57 , Tara Cobham
In a statement, the Hastings family said they were “absolutely heartbroken” by the news, adding that Jenny had “struggled with her mental health for a number of years”.
The statement said: “It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that Jenny went swimming in the Firth of Forth on the afternoon of Tuesday 3 September 2024 and the incident is being treated by police as a high risk missing person case.
“The Hastings family is devastated.
“Jenny and Scott have a large group of friends from all walks of life, including those in the media. We ask that we be allowed to grieve privately with family members at this time.”
“We kindly request that you refrain from sending us direct messages and/or posting on social media for the time being until further news is available.
“We know you all care about us very much and as soon as we hear an update from the police, we will inform you.
“We miss our Jenny. She leaves a gaping hole in all of our hearts and we hope she returns to us safely so we can celebrate her remarkable life.”
The statement is signed “Scott, Corey, Daniel, Kerry-Anne & Ian”.
Scott Hastings' wife disappears after swimming in Firth of Forth, 'heartbroken' family say
Friday, September 6, 2024 08:55 , Tara Cobham
The wife of former Scotland rugby international Scott Hastings has been missing for days after going swimming in the Firth of Forth, her “devastated” family said.
Jenny Hastings has not returned after going swimming in Wardie Bay in Edinburgh on Tuesday afternoon.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Hastings family announced the news “with great sadness”, adding that Mrs Hastings “has struggled with her mental health for a number of years”.
The statement signed by “Scott, Corey, Daniel, Kerry-Anne & Ian” said: “We miss our Jenny. She leaves a gaping hole in all our hearts and we hope she is returned to us safely so we can celebrate her remarkable life.”
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it received a “report of concern” at around 2.45pm on Tuesday and that a helicopter, coastguard rescue teams, lifeboats and other nearby vessels all took part in a search.
However, the agency indicated that the search yielded no results and was called off at 8:20 p.m. that evening.
