Body found in search for man missing for over a year

Rodrigo Falcon disappeared after leaving a nightclub in Aviemore in December 2022

A body has been found in the search for a man missing from a Highland village for more than a year.

Rodrigo Falcon was last seen in the Aviemore area in the early hours of 11 December 2022.

Various appeals to locate the 34-year-old bar worker, originally from Argentina, have been launched since, without success.

Police Scotland said formal identification was yet to take place, but Mr Falcon’s family have been informed.

Mr Falcon’s mother, Daniela, pleaded for her son to return home safely in December, a year on from his disappearance.

Mr Falcon, who had lived in the Highlands since 2016, was spotted by the driver of a road-gritting truck walking near the A9 between 04:00 and 05:00 on 11 December 2022 after leaving a nightclub.

CCTV images captured him wearing a red jumper and baggy jeans in below freezing temperatures.

An extensive search was launched soon afterwards, with police divers searching sections of the River Spey and nearby lochs.

Mr Falcon's mother, Daniela, appealed for his return in December

Footprints were found in the snow the following day by officers after friends and volunteers joined the search.

Officers said on Saturday that a body had been found “just outside Aviemore”.

A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed a report has also been sent to the procurator fiscal.