THE EXTENSIVE search for missing 49-year-old Montrose man Duncan Gibb finally ended on Saturday night when his body was discovered in an old allotment shed.

Tragically, it appears that Mr Gibb, who was agoraphobic, may have succumbed to the elements after wandering from his home in the town’s Blackfriars Street on January 15.

His distraught family yesterday thanked the community for all their help during the exhaustive search for the missing man.

Mr Gibb had not ventured outside his home in Blackfriars Street for decades.

A huge land, water and air search was launched after he walked out of the back garden of his home 11 days ago.

His family said it was the first time he had set foot outside his home since he had been assaulted at a fair in the town at the age of 18.

Yesterday his devastated mother, Christina (76), was trying to come to terms with her loss.

As the search for her son had continued, the admitted she had feared the worst.

“I just hoped they would find him, whatever happened. If only to help put my mind at rest,” she said.

Mr Gibb’s sister Carol said that although Saturday’s discovery had brought a lot of pain, there was also considerable relief.

“We don’t have to stay awake all night worrying about him now, where he might be,” she said.

“At least now we can bring him back and lay him to rest. Last night my mother actually slept for the first time in days.”

She said a post mortem would be carried out today which she hoped would confirm the theory that Mr Gibb had suffered hypothermia.

She said, “I think he’s just wandered off and not been able to find his bearings.

“He’s gone looking for shelter, but it hasn’t been enough. I think it’s been purely accidental.”

She added that the family wanted to thank everyone who had been involved in the search for her brother.

“The police, the coastguard, the RAF and many other volunteers have all been looking for Duncan,” she said.

“We can’t fault the efforts of anyone, the police have been here every day keeping us up to date.

“Other family members and friends have also been visiting mum and keeping her occupied. She’s coping OK but I don’t suppose it will really hit us all until the funeral.

“We’re just relieved that we’ve got Duncan back and glad that he didn’t take his own life.”

Tayside Police said they were satisfied there were no suspicious circumstances and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.