Missing sisters hunt in Aberdeen is not a criminal case

The disappearance of two sisters in Aberdeen a week ago is not a criminal inquiry, police have confirmed.

Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32 and originally from Hungary, were last seen in Market Street at Victoria Bridge at about 02:12 on Tuesday 7 January.

The sisters – who are from a set of triplets – live in Aberdeen city centre, after moving to Scotland several years ago.

Police Scotland’s Supt Davie Howieson said one theory was the sisters had disappeared after going into the water.

Speaking at a media event by the River Dee, he said: “There are no suspects, this is not a criminal inquiry this is a missing persons inquiry.”

He said the force had a “number of hypotheses” and they were remaining open-minded in terms of what may have happened.

One of the main theories was that the sisters had entered the water in the area being searched.

“What we do know is that, at the moment, CCTV provides that they entered a footpath adjacent to the River Dee and we have no trace of them leaving that footpath yet,” he said.

“Inquiries continue to see if we can extend that timeline further.”

He said the alarm was raised by the landlord of the sisters.

“In the days preceding, the sisters had indicated to the landlord that they intended to leave their tenancy and the landlord carried out inquiries at the address which has led them to be concerned about the whereabouts of the sisters.”

Supt Howieson said the sisters appeared to have been living a normal life in Aberdeen.

‘We’ve carried out extensive inquiries in terms of the state of mind the sisters may have been in, the lifestyles, movements, contact with friends and family,” he said.

“Everything that we have gleaned so far suggests that they were happily living this life in Aberdeen working, socialising with friends and keeping in touch with family in an entirely normal manner.”

“We remain extremely concerned for Eliza and Henrietta as our searches enter a second week,” he said.

“Considerable efforts are being made to search the river and the surrounding area. We have spoken to a number of people in the course of our inquiries.

“We continue to examine all the available CCTV footage to try and establish the sisters’ movements in the early hours of Tuesday.”

He added: “We remain in regular contact with Eliza and Henrietta’s family in Hungary and continue to provide them with support.

“We know our concern is shared by people across Aberdeen and the north-east. I would urge anyone who may have information, which has not yet been passed to police, to get in touch.”