A woman who disappeared while wild swimming in Scotland is the wife of rugby legend Scott Hastings, her family has confirmed.
Jenny Hastings, 60, vanished after going for a group swim in the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh on Tuesday afternoon.
The Hastings family said they were ‘absolutely heartbroken’ at the news, adding that Jenny had ‘struggled with her mental health for a number of years’.
A massive search was launched in Wardie Bay by boat and helicopter, but rescuers were stood down on Wednesday.
In an emotional statement last night, her devastated family said her loss would leave a ‘gaping hole in all of our hearts’.
The mother-of-two had made attempts on her life before and the Hastings family said this week’s disappearance was ‘being treated as a high risk missing person case’.
Jenny Hastings went missing earlier this week during a wild swimming session in Edinburgh
Scott and Jenny Hastings on their wedding day
They added: ‘As many of you know Jenny struggled with her mental health for a number of years and ultimately she was unable to cope on this occasion.
‘She swam out into the Firth of Forth from Wardie Bay in Edinburgh and 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.’
The family, who revealed the devastating news last night, said: ‘We miss our Jenny. She leaves a gaping hole in all of our hearts and hope that she is returned to us safely so that we can celebrate her remarkable life.’
The statement was signed off ‘with fondest love’ and attributed to husband Scott, Corey, Daniel, Kerry-Anne and Ian.
The Hastings family said they were ‘absolutely heartbroken’ at the news, adding that Jenny had ‘struggled with her mental health for a number of years’. Jenny (pictured here with husband Scott)
Jenny Hastings failed to return after going for a swim in Wardie Bay in Edinburgh, police said
The family, who revealed the devastating news last night, said: ‘We miss our Jenny. She leaves a gaping hole in all of our hearts and hope that she is returned to us safely’
An intense search and rescue operation was launched in the Firth of Forth on Tuesday afternoon, with coastguard helicopters zigzagging across the estuary in a desperate attempt to find her.
Lifeboat crews were also deployed into the water as they searched for Mrs Hastings with emergency services alerted to a ‘report of concern’ shortly before 3pm.
But the search was ultimately unsuccessful, and the coastguard called off the search after more than five hours.
Mrs Hastings has previously spoken out about her long-standing battle with severe depression.
She has suffered the illness all of her adult life, and previously made attempts on her own life.
The couple had previously revealed she attempted suicide by eating nuts in an attempt to trigger a severe allergy with Mr Hastings having to administer an adrenaline shot to save her life.
They also revealed she once ‘panicked and bolted’ and, over 36 hours, walked for around 25 miles from Leith to the Pentland Hills before going to a police station.
She had no phone with her and did not make contact as her husband desperately searched for her.
Mrs Hastings’ disappearance sparked a major search in the Firth of Forth
Emergency services were called to the scene at 2.45pm on Tuesday after a wild swimmer went missing after heading into the Firth of Forth (Pictured: Coastguard rescue teams)
Opening up about the incident, Mrs Hastings: ‘It’s awful to think about that, but the reality is I just wanted to get away.
‘I wanted to be alone. I didn’t think anyone wanted me around anymore. It’s just awful, it’s an awful illness.’
Mr Hastings is one of Scotland’s greatest players, winning 65 caps for his country and representing the British and Irish Lions twice.
He had previously described his wife’s disappearances as a form of self harming.
Speaking in 2017, Mr Hastings said: ‘It’s clinical depression. Being an illness, it just happens.
‘I am in awe of Jenny because it’s extraordinary her capacity to talk about it, and also when she is so low it’s very difficult to encourage her to do anything.
‘She suffers lack of self respect, low self esteem, exhaustion, low energy levels but somehow she is able to turn it around and through walking, swimming, yoga and getting out of the building she is able to get over it.
‘We have had three very acute episodes over the last three years but each time you learn a little bit more.’
A massive search and rescue operation was launched after Jenny failed to emerge with the rest of the group to the shoreline at Wardie Bay (Pictured: A helicopter flying overhead)
The search continued with a police presence seen at Granton Harbour (Pictured: A boat searching for the missing woman)
Mr Hastings added: ‘People have other ways of self harming, there are those that cut themselves. Jenny feels a burden on her family and me so her way is to get away. She walked to the Pentlands and spent 36 hours without contact.
‘It has happened a number of times and this time it was longer. She would be gone maybe for eight, nine, ten hours, but this one was serious because it became such a long time.
‘Previously I was embarrassed about Jenny’s illness because there was a stigma about mental health. But everyone is susceptible and it’s OK to talk about it.
‘Exercise has played a big part in Jenny’s recovery and often there are enormous benefits to be had from getting out into the fresh air.’
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
