Missing Dumbarton man presumed legally dead as daughter shares heartbreak

Dad-of-three Paul Harley has been missing from his home in Whiteford Avenue in Bellsmyre since September 28, 2014.

The former Network Rail employee, originally from Coatbridge, had gone missing several times before due to struggles with his mental health but was always traced a short time later and offered support by his family.

But on that Sunday morning almost nine years ago, he did not return.

His daughter Jennifer won't give up finding him (Image: Newsquest)

Paul’s youngest daughter Jennifer moved to Dumbarton months after he disappeared in hopes of finding him again.

She spent countless hours scouring for any trace of him in the area and says she finds solace in living in the one place her dad called home.

She told the Reporter: “It needs to come to a point where I start looking at my life again. I have dreams and aspirations that I put on hold to help bring my dad back home.

“I have loved being in Dumbarton and love living here. The people are amazing and I can see why my dad enjoyed being here.

"However, at the moment, there will always be one part of me that will be lost. My dad was settled here and found his community and it is what I hope to do too.

“One part of me believes he is going from city to city just exploring the world in his own bubble. Then there is the realistic part of me that knows that there has not been any proof of life since he went missing – no active bank cards, no sightings and online activity.

"I know he is in this world somewhere. Whether he is alive or dead I just need to find him.”

A few years after his disappearance, the family started losing hope – until a picture surfaced on social media in 2021 that resembled Paul.

The picture captured a homeless man sitting in the snow outside Glasgow Central station which sparked renewed hope for Paul’s children, but it was later revealed that the photo was actually taken in 2019.

A picture that resembled Paul Harley surfaced on the internet (Image: Newsquest)

Jennifer added: “There is no question about it – that is my dad. I will say it until I am blue in the face. The posture where he clasps his hands and the way he was sitting is so recognisable to me.

"People came forward to say that the man in the photo has been seen across Glasgow and goes by different names.

“Prior to that I was convinced my dad had in fact passed away, but it has been a whirlwind since that photo was shared online. We don’t have an exact date as to when that photo was taken and sadly the photographer never spoke to the man in the photo.
"It is a shame because it could have opened so many doors for answers.”

The 33-year-old has been out at every opportunity to search for her dad, but last week she received the heartbreaking news that would destroy any family.

The court had granted an application for Paul to be presumed dead.

Paul Harley has not been seen since September 2014 (Pic: Jennifer Harley) (Image: Newsquest)

“I had the phone call to say that the decree was granted, and my world stopped,” said Jennifer.

“After all these years I thought I had no more tears to cry, but I was truly devastated. I don’t think this is something I will emotionally recover from as I had never thought that would happen to us. It felt like the end of the road and that was supposed to be our closure.”

Despite the devastating news, Jennifer says she will fight until her last breath to bring her beloved dad home and shared some of her favourite memories of him.

She said: “Growing up we had a special relationship. We went on numerous trips and holidays when I was a little girl.

"He used to take me to Luss and there is an old Scottish TV drama called Take the High Road and he used to tell me about it when we were there and what parts were in the show. It was a place I would see him happy.

“I might not ever find him, but it doesn’t mean I won’t ever stop looking for him. I refuse to give up on him. It has been such a long time, but I will never stop fighting for my dad. He is my family.

“I couldn’t be more thankful to everyone who has helped in their efforts to trace him. I still want to appeal to everyone in this area to keep their minds open to him and think of him when out and about. He could be anywhere, so it is important that people have him in their minds.

“I just want nothing more than to bring him home. Please come home Dad. We all miss you so much.”

And there is one clear message that all three of Paul’s children – Laura, Paul Jr and Jennifer live by daily and that is “you will never walk alone Dad”.