Friday July 18th 2025
Edinburgh City Chambers
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan
A man lay dead inside a locked toilet in Edinburgh’s City Chambers for six days after security staff failed to check the area, it has been suggested.
It is understood that the body of Sean Stephen was only found after cleaning staff raised the alarm.
A source claimed they had believed for almost a week that the toilet was locked shut due to being out of order.
Mr Stephen, 38, was found dead on the morning of July 7, with Police Scotland being called out at 9.10am.
He had been reported missing on July 1 , with his wife Julie telling reporters that in her last conversation with him he said he was going to use the bathroom.
Despite that, it is understood early reports suggest the locket toilet cubicle was not checked by either police or council security staff.
A police spokesperson said: “At 9.20pm on Tuesday, 1 July, 2025 we received a report of concern for a 38-year-old man in the Edinburgh area who failed to make a pre-arranged appointment.
“Enquiries were carried out to trace him and he was traced deceased on Monday, 7 July in the High Street area of Edinburgh.”
In an earlier statement, police said the death was ‘unexplained’, but not believed to be suspicious.
They then continued on to say that a report would be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.
It is understood that the contract security staff at the City Chambers were meant to check toilets on site as part of their rounds at the end of the working day.
Mr Stephen entered the building on 1 July, and was not heard from since.
His wife Julie told the Daily Record on Wednesday that she was “baffled” that her husband had spent so long in the toilet without being discovered.
She added: “I’m emotionally drained. I’m just asking for help. I just want to bring his body home and lay him to rest.”
The council’s customer hub, located at the eastern end of the City Chambers building off High Street, provides welfare and other advice to city residents.
It is open from 8.30am until 4.30pm most days, except Fridays when it closes at 3.00pm.
A spokesperson for Edinburgh Council said: “We’re continuing to assist Police Scotland with their inquiries and can’t comment any further at this stage.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
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