Edinburgh crime: Peter Coshan disappearance, murder investigation and tributes to Edinburgh teacher

Peter Coshan, who used to teach biology at Fettes College, was reported missing last month and police said they believed he had been killed. Two men have been charged with his murder but his body has yet to be found.

This is what we know so far about his disappearance and the police investigation.

Reported missing

Dr Coshan, 75, was reported missing on August 12 after having last been seen shortly before midnight on the previous day.

He was last seen in the Seafield Road area of Leith and had been seen a couple of hours earlier near his home address in South Learmonth Gardens.

At the time of his disappearance, police said it was “out of character for Peter not to be in contact with his family and friends”.

They added that he had never gone missing before and that his family were worried.

Murder investigation launched

Detectives investigating Dr Coshan’s disappearance announced on August 17 that they believed the pensioner was dead and that they were treating his death as murder.

At the same time, they said that two men has been charged in connection with his murder.

Speaking at the time, a spokesperson said: “Officers can confirm that Peter, of Edinburgh, is believed to be dead and they are treating his death as murder.

“However, his body is yet to be recovered.”

Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, added: "Our thoughts are very much with Peter's family at this difficult time.

"Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace Peter and I would encourage anyone with any information regarding Peter's disappearance to contact police as a matter of urgency.

"Any piece of information, no matter how small or insignificant you think it is, could prove vital so please do pass it on to officers.”

Two men appear in court

On August 18, two men appeared in court charged with the murder of Dr Coshan.

Paul Black,63, and Paul McNaughton,27, made no plea to a charge that they murdered Peter Coshan, in Edinburgh, on August 11 2022.

The pair appeared in private during a short hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Mr Black, who prosecutors say is also known as Joseph Hillary, and his co-accused also made no plea to charges of theft and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Search for body

On August 31, police said they believed Dr Coshan’s body may have been dumped in woodland on the Scotland-England border and photos showed them combing the countryside for clues.

During a press conference at Hawick Police Station in the Scottish Borders, Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick asked the public for help to trace him and urged those in the area between August 15 and 16 to “think back”.

He said: "That evening and early morning was the end of the very hot weather we had, and a warning for thunderstorms was issued. I would ask anyone who may have been in these areas to think back to that time, you may remember it due to the unusual hot weather and thunderstorms.

"I believe the areas of the Scottish Borders and Northumberland are key to helping us find Peter, so please take time to think back.”

Search for car

Detective Superintendent Patrick added that officers are keen to track the movements of an older style dark coloured Vauxhall Vectra, which has a 57 registration plate.

This car was seen in the Scottish Borders and Northumberland area of England between August 15 and August 16 and police believe its movements are central to the investigation.

He said: "Did you see something a little odd or out of place, perhaps you noticed a car parked somewhere, or even off road, do you remember anything which struck you as odd at the time?

"I am also keen to speak to anyone who travels in these areas regularly and has a dash cam.

"Please check the footage as it may have captured something which could prove vital to our ongoing enquiries to locate Peter."

Tributes

Fettes College, which is one of the Capital’s leading private schools, paid tribute to Dr Coshan after it was revealed that police were treating his disappearance as murder.

Dr Coshan taught biology at Fettes from 1972 until his retirement in 2005.

A spokesperson for the college said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the tragic developments and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Helen Harrison, head of Fettes College, also paid tribute to the pensioner, who she described as “an inspirational biology teacher”.

"He will be remembered fondly by many, not least by those who were taught by him, tutored by him and introduced to the hills through his enthusiasm for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, which he ran for 33 years,” she said.

Reporting information

Police Scotland have set up a dedicated portal to allow members of the public to send information directly to the Major Investigation Team. You can select to remain anonymous when submitting information.

Anyone with information can also call Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 1745 of August 12. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.