Sandy Davidson
Officers are continuing to appeal for information after Sandy Davidson was reporting missing in Irvine 50 years ago and releasing an image (right) of what he might look like today.
Sandy was three years old when he disappeared while playing in the garden of his grandmother’s home in the Bourtreehill area of Irvine on 23 April, 1976.
The image has been prepared by SPA Forensic Services and gives an indication of Sandy’s appearance 50 years on.
Sandy’s sister Donna has worked over the years to encourage anyone with knowledge of what happened to Sandy to come forward. She has released a statement:
“It is hard after 50 years and distressing that I still don’t know what happened to my brother. To have no answers to what seems like a thousand questions is beyond heartbreaking.
“Sandy is very much in my thoughts and as a family we are urging anyone who can help to get in touch.”
It is thought Sandy may have left the garden to follow the family dog. Extensive searches were carried out but there was no trace of him.
Detective Inspector Louise White said: “Sandy remains a missing person and our thoughts are very much with his family on this momentous anniversary of his disappearance. It is a very hard time for them.
“Someone must have seen Sandy that day and the answers his family need are out there somewhere. Someone must know something and I would urge them to contact us.
“Even the smallest piece of information could help us find out what happened to Sandy so please get in touch if you can assist.
“Anything new will be thoroughly assessed so contact us on 101 if you have anything to tell us no matter how insignificant you might think your information is.”
Police Scotland works in close partnership with the Missing People Charity - the only charity in the UK which specialises in and is dedicated to bringing missing children and adults back together with their families.
They can be contacted via telephone on free phone 116 000 or by visiting the Missing People website.
Call 101 for non-emergencies and general enquiries, in an emergency call 999. If you have information about a crime you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Updated: 2 October, 2026