Volunteers of the Community Rescue Service (CRS), Northern Ireland's search and rescue organisation, searched for over 50 days looking for a missing County Antrim man, before sadly discovering a body early yesterday afternoon, Sunday 18th February.
Thirty-three-year-old Alan was last seen leaving licensed premises in the High Street area of Antrim at around 9pm on Sunday 17th December, days before Christmas, heading in the direction of Market Square and down towards the pedestrian bridge over the river.
The dedicated CRS teams continued to persevere and set out on Sunday once again, in hope of finding and bringing Alan home.
Last month (January 11th) Alan's mother, Pamela, appealed to the public for any help, saying: "His son and I just want Alan home safe."
This afternoon the Police Service of Northern Ireland issued a short statement saying:
"Police searching for missing person Alan Whiteside located the body of a man in a coastline area of Lough Neagh yesterday afternoon, Sunday 18th February.
"This is being treated as a sudden death and there are no further details."
This was followed by comment from the CRS, who finally discovered the Alan's body.
"As many of you may be aware, CRS volunteers have been tasked to the Antrim area every day, working closely with our colleagues from Lough Neagh Rescue in the search for a person missing since 17th December," said the spokesperson for CRS.
"Searches were conducted each day for 51 days in our endeavours to bring the person home.
"Yesterday (Sunday) CRS conducted extensive searches in the Antrim area and along the shoreline of Lough Neagh.
"We regret to inform you that in the early afternoon a CRS team located a body believed to be that of the missing person.
"The management and volunteers of the Community Rescue Service extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the missing person at this sad time."
A Facebook page set up to assist in finding Alan 'Bring Alan Home' this afternoon posted:
“Thank you to everyone who messaged, shared, helped us look for Alan over the past 9 weeks.
"Obviously not the outcome anyone wanted.
"Pamela will continue to be supported by family and close friends”.