Rugby legend Scott Hastings ‘devastated’ as wife Jenny presumed dead after disappearing while wild swimming
THE wife of rugby legend Scott Hastings is presumed dead after she went missing while wild swimming.
Jennifer Hastings, 60, disappeared in the waters off Wardie Bay in Edinburgh on Tuesday.
A massive search involving police, ambulance and coastguard crews was launched in the Firth of Forth.
Despite the efforts of rescue teams, the search was stood down on Tuesday night.
It is understood police are treating the disappearance as a “high-risk missing persons case”.
Jenny’s heartbroken family have now said she is presumed dead after the search.
A statement from the family said: “It appears that she wished to end her suffering in what was a regular and healing place for her.
“She loved the water but unfortunately her mind was not in a place of safety.
“The Hastings family are absolutely heartbroken. We miss our Jenny.
“She leaves a gaping hole in all our hearts and hope that she is returned to us safely so that we can celebrate her remarkable life.”
Jenny had previously opened up on her struggles with mental health.
She told how she had been battling depression when she attempted to take her own life in 2014 and when she went missing for over 24 hours a few years later.
Scott and Jenny both became ambassadors for charity Support in Mind Scotland and devoted work to helping others with their own mental health.
They helped launch their 100 Streets Challenge to help people boost their mental health through exercise.
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It aimed to get people out and about with their friends and families and stop them from being alone.
Scott Hastings won over 65 caps for the Scotland rugby team, and is one of the national squad’s greatest ever players.