Body found on remote UK island in search for missing 28-year-old

A huge search operation had been launched following her disappearance

Shanahan MacInnes went missing at around 1:30am on Friday in Balivanich on the Outer Hebrides island of Benbecula. A huge search operation was launched by police, the coastguard and emergency services, with more than 60 members of the public also involved.

At around 1:05pm on Sunday though, MacInnes' body was tragically found in the Aird area of Benbecula.

Her death is not being treated as suspicious, with her family saying in a statement that the hairdresser died in an "extremely tragic accident."

Writing on social media, the family said they were "absolutely heartbroken and devastated," the Mirror reports.

They continued: "Shanahan's passing was an extremely tragic accident. It was nobody's fault... We are extremely upset... We would appreciate if we could all be left to grieve our beautiful darling Shanahan."

In a statement, Police Scotland Highland & Islands said: "Around 1.05pm on Sunday, 24 November, 2024, officers were made aware that a body of a woman had been found in the Aird area of Benbecula.

"Formal identification has still to take place, however the family of 28-year-old Shanahan MacInnes, who was missing from Balivanich, has been made aware. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."

MacInnes worked at the Shore Room Hair and Beauty. The salon has announced it will be closed until further notice following the news of her death, saying in a post on Facebook that they "appreciate all the love and support we have received at this time."