The wife of former Scotland rugby international Scott Hastings has been missing for days after she went for a swim in the Firth of Forth, her “absolutely heartbroken” family said.
Jenny Hastings never returned after going swimming in Wardie Bay in Edinburgh on Tuesday afternoon.
In a statement, the Hastings family announced the news “with huge sadness”, adding that Ms Hastings has “struggled with her mental health for a number of years”.
The statement signed “Scott, Corey, Daniel, Kerry-Anne & Ian” said: “We miss our Jenny. She leaves a gaping hole in all our hearts and hope that she is returned to us safely so that we can celebrate her remarkable life.”
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said they received a “report of concern” at about 2.45pm on Tuesday, and a helicopter, coastguard rescue teams, lifeboats and other nearby vessels all took part in a search.
However the agency said the search failed to find anything, and was called off at 8.20pm that evening.
If you need to speak to someone, Samaritans are available on 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org.
Key Points
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Scott Hastings’ wife goes missing after swim in Firth of Forth, say ‘heartbroken’ family
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Full statement from Hastings family
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Jenny Hastings has ‘struggled with mental health for number of years’, say family
Social media post shows Jenny Hastings swimming in Wardie Bay
Friday 6 September 2024 16:21 , Alex Croft
A photo shows Jenny Hastings swimming in Wardie Bay, Edinburgh, in March.
Six months later, she went for a swim in the same place, before going missing.
Her family said Wardie Bay was a “regular and healing place” for Ms Hastings.
ICYMI: Full statement from Hastings family
Friday 6 September 2024 14:55 , Alex Croft
In a statement, the Hastings family said they were “absolutely heartbroken” at the news, adding that Jenny had “struggled with her mental health for a number of years”.
The statement said: “It’s with huge sadness that we write to advise you that Jenny went for a swim in the Firth of Forth on the afternoon of Tuesday September 3 2024, and that the incident is being treated by the police as a high risk missing person case.
“The Hastings family are absolutely heartbroken.
“Jenny and Scott have a huge following of friends from all walks of life including those that work in the media and we ask that at this moment in time we are allowed to grieve privately with family members.”
“For the time being we request that you hold off from messaging us directly and/or posting on any social media until further news.
“We know that you all care for us deeply and as soon as we hear any update from the police we will advise you accordingly.
“We miss our Jenny. She leaves a gaping hole in all our hearts and hope that she is returned to us safely so that we can celebrate her remarkable life.”
The statement is signed “Scott, Corey, Daniel, Kerry-Anne & Ian”.
Rugby legend Brian Moore shares anguish
Friday 6 September 2024 14:12 , Alex Croft
Pictured: the Edinburgh bay where Jenny Hastings was last seen
Friday 6 September 2024 13:25 , Alex Croft
Everything we know about Jenny Hastings’ disappearance
Friday 6 September 2024 12:09 , Alex Croft
We know that Jenny Hastings went for a swim in Wardia Bay, in the Firth of Forth in Edinburgh on Tuesday, September 3 – but didn’t return to shore.
A ‘report of concern’ was issued regarding Maritime and Coastguard Agency at about 2.45pm on Tuesday, before a helicopter, coastguard rescue teams, lifeboats and other nearby vessels opened a search.
But the search was called off at 8:20pm that evening, with no sign of Ms Hastings.
On Thursday, the family issued a statement saying they were “absolutely heartbroken”, announcing the news of her disappearance “with huge sadness”.
They added that she “struggled with her mental health for a number of years”.
Jenny Hastings has been open about her mental health struggles, spearheading positive mental health campaigns in the past with husband Scott.
Seven years ago, she disappeared for 36 hours while she was suffering from depression, before going to a police station when she needed help to get home.
Jenny Hastings has campaigned for positive mental health
Friday 6 September 2024 09:50 , Alex Croft
Ms Hastings has always been very open in the media about her mental health struggles.
She has campaigned to end the stigma and encourage those suffering with poor mental health to take active steps to improve their wellbeing.
In 2017, she spearheaded the 100 Streets Challenge in support of Support in Mind, with husband and rugby star Scott Hastings.
The aim was for people to walk, jog, or cycle 100 streets, to encourage outdoor activity.
“I know I can talk with people and maybe that’s one of the messages we are trying to get out,” Ms Hastings said about the challenge.
“We all can talk with people. The stigma is definitely breaking down – even the Royals are talking about mental health.”
Jenny Hastings has ‘struggled with mental health for number of years’, say family
Friday 6 September 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 that she is missing.
Ms Hastings has spoken about her mental health struggles in interviews in the past.
She and Mr Hastings have also previously spearheaded a charity campaign to keep people active and improve their mental wellbeing.
Ms Hastings previously disappeared for 36 hours while suffering from depression
Friday 6 September 2024 09:02 , Tara Cobham
Jenny Hastings has told of previously disappearing from her Edinburgh home for 36 hours while she was suffering from depression.
Seven years ago, she and Scott Hastings told the BBC: “I just had to get away from everyone. I felt I was in everybody’s way and I needed to have some time away myself without telling anyone. I didn’t want to be in contact with anyone.”
She became frightened because she had no way to contact anyone, having left her phone at home, eventually getting help by going to a police station.
Mr Hastings told the broadcaster: “The way she gets out of the low periods within her life is actually to get out and get fresh air.”
Full statement from Hastings family
Friday 6 September 2024 08:57 , Tara Cobham
In a statement, the Hastings family said they were “absolutely heartbroken” at the news, adding that Jenny had “struggled with her mental health for a number of years”.
The statement said: “It’s with huge sadness that we write to advise you that Jenny went for a swim in the Firth of Forth on the afternoon of Tuesday September 3 2024, and that the incident is being treated by the police as a high risk missing person case.
“The Hastings family are absolutely heartbroken.
“Jenny and Scott have a huge following of friends from all walks of life including those that work in the media and we ask that at this moment in time we are allowed to grieve privately with family members.”
“For the time being we request that you hold off from messaging us directly and/or posting on any social media until further news.
“We know that you all care for us deeply and as soon as we hear any update from the police we will advise you accordingly.
“We miss our Jenny. She leaves a gaping hole in all our hearts and hope that she is returned to us safely so that we can celebrate her remarkable life.”
The statement is signed “Scott, Corey, Daniel, Kerry-Anne & Ian”.
Scott Hastings’ wife goes missing after swim in Firth of Forth, say ‘heartbroken’ family
Friday 6 September 2024 08:55 , Tara Cobham
The wife of former Scotland rugby international Scott Hastings has been missing for days after she went for a swim in the Firth of Forth, her “absolutely heartbroken” family said.
Jenny Hastings never 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 huge sadness”, adding that Ms Hastings has “struggled with her mental health for a number of years”.
The statement signed “Scott, Corey, Daniel, Kerry-Anne & Ian” said: “We miss our Jenny. She leaves a gaping hole in all our hearts and hope that she is returned to us safely so that we can celebrate her remarkable life.”
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said they received a “report of concern” at about 2.45pm on Tuesday, and a helicopter, coastguard rescue teams, lifeboats and other nearby vessels all took part in a search.
However the agency said the search failed to find anything, and was called off at 8.20pm that evening.
