Cole Cooper death: Grieving mum alleges 'third party' involved

The grieving mother of a Scottish teenager who vanished for almost five weeks has told Sky News she believes a "third party" was involved in her son's death – but police say there's "no evidence" of that.

Cole Cooper, 19, was discovered dead in woods near Falkirk earlier this month following a missing persons inquiry his relatives don't believe was taken seriously enough by police.

He was last seen on CCTV in May after leaving a house party, but police later revealed a former school friend had spoken to Cole a few days later nearby.

Speaking exclusively to Sky News, his mother Wendy Stewart, 42, revealed her son had "various arguments" in the days and hours before he disappeared.

In an emotional interview, she said: "He was only 19, he should never have been taken. I am never going to see him again. I never got a chance to give him a last cuddle and hold his hand.

"Someone has taken that away from me far too soon. Whether it be intentionally or unintentionally, I do believe there has been some involvement by a third party and the result is the death of Cole."

The family, who organised a local vigil in Cole's memory last weekend, have vowed to get "justice".

Asked what that means, Ms Stewart told Sky News: "Finding the culprit and getting justice that way. Finding the person that is responsible for the death of my child."

Police previously said 400 residents were spoken to during door-to-door enquiries and more than 2,000 hours of CCTV footage was collected.

The 19-year-old's death is being treated as "unexplained", with a top police officer saying "at this time there is no evidence of any third party involvement".

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Cole's aunt Aimee Tennie, 32, revealed the family's anger over the police handling of the case as they attempt to find out what happened.

She said: "We are aware of small details surrounding the weekend leading up to it with arguments. He had a few arguments over that weekend. We want the details re-examined thoroughly."

Sky News put all of the family's concerns and allegations to Police Scotland.

The force initially swerved our questions and responded saying: "Enquiries remain ongoing."

In an update later on Wednesday morning, Detective Chief Inspector Bob Williamson said: "We are carrying out significant enquiries into Cole's death, however, at this time there is no evidence of any third party involvement.

"It is vital that we establish the full circumstances leading up to Cole's death so that we can provide some answers to his family.

"The thoughts of everyone involved in this investigation are very much with his family and friends and officers will continue to offer them support and keep them informed as our enquiries progress."

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Ms Stewart claimed the probe has been handled "shockingly" with a failure to take her son's disappearance seriously.

The 42-year-old said: "I have had to scream and shout from rooftops to be heard by the police. I don't think they have handled it well.

"The police really need to take accountability and listen to families, they are reporting a missing child and understand the family knows their child best."

Cole's loved ones still have not been told when his body will be released to allow them to lay him to rest.