Mother missing for six months ‘may have come to harm’, police say
Khasha Smith, 35, has been missing since October 10 and recently missed her daughter’s 18th birthday.
A mother of three who vanished six months ago in Edinburgh “may have come to harm”, police have said.
Khasha Smith, 35, has not been seen since October 10 and has not been in touch with her “very close” family since then, officers said.
Her mother and daughter issued an appeal in a bid to trace Ms Smith, from Calder, Edinburgh.
Police Scotland have said they “have to consider the possibility that she may have to come to harm” and are considering “all possibilities”.
Ms Smith was last seen during a Facetime call with a friend on October 10, and was reported missing by her family on January 5.
Ms Smith was described as a “brilliant mum” by her own mother, Nicola Neil, while her daughter, Calley Smith, 18, said the disappearance “feels like the worst dream I could ever imagine”.
Ms Neil said: “Khasha, we love you so much and just need to know you are safe. We need you home with us.
“If anyone, anywhere, knows where Khasha is – please tell us. Please don’t let us go on like this.
“Khasha is a brilliant mum to her three children and is loved by all our very close family. We are all sick with worry. Khasha is my friend as well as my daughter and we are living a nightmare.
“It’s hard to find the words to explain the ‘not knowing’ where she is and if anything has happened to her. These past few weeks have been horrendous and painful for us all.
“I would ask anyone out there – even if we don’t know you – please come forward if you know anything at all.
“Please help us bring Khasha home. This waiting is unbearable. I’m begging you from the bottom of my heart – please get in touch. I miss her so much and we need to find her.”
Ms Smith said: “I recently had my 18th birthday and didn’t hear anything from my mum. She would never miss my birthday, my sisters’ birthdays, or Christmas.
“I can’t express what it would mean to have my mum home. Even the smallest piece of information might be all we need to find her. So I’m asking anyone with any information – please come forward and help the police bring my mum home for me, my sisters and the rest of the family.”
Detective Chief Inspector Bob Williamson said: “Khasha’s family are understandably extremely worried about her.
“We have a dedicated team of officers who are working around the clock to find her and get answers for her family.
“While we are keeping an open mind, and continue to hope Khasha will be found safe and well, we have to consider the possibility that she may have to come to harm. We must consider all possibilities.
“Our inquiries are ongoing and a key focus of our investigation is continuing to build up a picture of Khasha’s life in the months prior to her disappearance.
“We are keen to speak to any of Khasha’s friends who may have information about her whereabouts before the last known confirmed sighting of her on Tuesday, October 10 2023.”
An online portal for the major incident public portal (MIPP) was set up, to give the public access to a form so they can send information directly.
Mr Williamson added: “It is absolutely vital that we find Khasha and I would again ask anyone with information – no matter how small or insignificant it may seem – to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3915 of 5 January, 2024.”
