'Beyond heartbreaking': sister of missing Sandy Davidson seeks answers to 50-year mystery

By LUCINDA CAMERON FOR THE SCOTTISH DAILY MAIL Published: 20:16, 23 April 2026 | Updated: 20:16, 23 April 2026 The sister of a three-year-old boy who disappeared 50 years ago has said it is ‘beyond heartbreaking’ not to know what happened to him, as police released an image of how he might look today. Sandy Davidson vanished from his grandmother’s garden in the Bourtreehill area of Irvine, Ayrshire, on April 23, 1976. It is thought the boy, who was playing with his then two-year-old sister Donna, may have left the garden to follow the family’s pet dog. On the anniversary of his disappearance, forensic services at the Scottish Police Authority released an image which gives an indication of how Sandy might look half a century on. His sister urged anyone with information to come forward. ‘It is hard after 50 years and distressing that I still don’t know what happened to my brother,’ she said. ‘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.’ Sandy Davidson as a child and an image of what Police Scotland believe he might look like now Donna Davidson has appealed for information on her missing brother, Sandy Extensive searches were carried out following Sandy’s disappearance but no trace of him was found. 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.’ She added: ‘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 if you have anything to tell us, no matter how insignificant you might think your information is.’ Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.