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The Vanishing Cyclist: Episode 1

Award-winning documentary series Murder Case turns its attention to one of Scotland’s most unique and haunting cases. This six-year pursuit of justice involved a missing persons search, a criminal investigation and a high-profile court case.\n\nIn September 2017, 63-year-old former Royal Navy officer Tony Parsons set out on what should have been a memorable journey: a solo charity cycle ride from Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, to his home in Tillicoultry. The route would take him across some of Scotland’s most breathtaking and rugged landscapes. What was meant to be a personal challenge turned into a haunting mystery that gripped the nation for years. As Tony embarked on his journey through the iconic Bridge of Orchy, he seemingly vanished without a trace.\n\nThe last confirmed sighting of Tony was outside the Bridge of Orchy Hotel on 29 September 2017. From that moment, a huge search was launched, with extensive police investigations, community efforts and media appeals hoping to find Tony safe. The case took on an air of mystery and tragedy - how could Tony disappear so completely? The remote landscape offered few clues and posed immense challenges for search teams, and neither Tony or his bike and possessions were found.\n\nThree years on, and one phone call changes everything. A woman has called 999 and revealed something truly astonishing: she knows the truth about what happened to Tony Parsons. What began as a baffling missing person case unfolds into a gripping, unprecedented investigation, revealing secrets and lies, a shocking confession and the involvement of twin brothers.\n\nThe skilled detectives of Police Scotland’s major investigations team take up the case and quickly arrest two men before beginning the hunt for Tony’s body. Will they be able to finally provide answers to Tony’s friends and family?\n\nOffering intimate access to police and Tony’s loved ones, this episode reveals the devastating human cost of crime and the resolute pursuit of justice.

Source: BBC 2