POLICE have apologised over the death of missing 88-year-old Janet McKay, after an apparent blunder led to the investigation of a crucial sighting being delayed for four days. 

Janet, who had dementia, was last seen by neighbours in Dykebar Avenue, Knightswood, on September 16 and since then there have been widespread appeals for information about her whereabouts.

At around 10.30am on Thursday, police found a body in the Clydebank area.

Police Scotland say on Friday evening a member of the public provided them with information of a possible sighting of the missing person but this information was not passed to the call handling centres nor was it passed to the inquiry team.

On Tuesday, further information was received about the sighting through the call handling centre, who passed it to the inquiry team and a after "further extensive inquiry" a body was discovered.

The incident has now been referred by Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to the Police Investigation and Review Commissioner for investigation.

Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Andy Bates said: “I would like to apologise to the family for any distress caused at this difficult time and take this opportunity to express my condolences to the family and friends and thank those members of the public who supported the search for Janet. "

Police Scotland said formal identification had yet to take place but Ms McKay's family had been informed.

On Wednesday, police released a CCTV image of Ms McKay in Clydebank on the day she was reported missing.  The CCTV footage showed her between 1pm and 2pm leaving a bus in Glasgow Road, Clydebank.

A Crown Office spokesman said: "The Crown Office is aware of the circumstances relating to the death of Janet McKay and in particular an issue relating to the search for her.

"On this basis the Lord Advocate has referred the matter to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner for investigation under statutory powers.

"A post mortem investigation will be held early next week."

A spokesman for the PIRC said: "The Commissioner is conducting an investigation into the initial response from Police Scotland to the missing person investigation for Janet McKay and the circumstances leading up to her death, following a referral from Police Scotland and instruction from the Crown Office."