Spanish police and volunteers continued searching today for an Irish teenager who has been missing on the Costa del Sol since January 1st.
Amy Fitzpatrick (15) failed to return after spending New Year's Eve at a friend's house a short distance from her home in Riviera del Sol in Calahonda, near Mijas, where she was staying with her mother Audrey, brother Dean (17) and stepfather Dave Mahon.
Search teams backed by a helicopter and sniffer dogs have extensively combed the area near the road she would have taken to return home.
The search has now been extended their search to include the mountains surrounding the Fitzpatrick's home.
Her Dublin-based aunt Christine Kenny, speaking today on behalf of Amy's father, said the family was devastated by what had happened.
"She is a lovely little girl. All I can say is her father is absolutely beside himself over it. If anybody has any news or has seen anything, get in touch with the family.
"Everyone is devastated," she said. Ms Kenny also made an appeal to Amy to contact her father and family if she was able to.
"We're doing our best to find out everything we can about Amy, we're doing everything we can," she told RTE radio.
Amy, described as as shy and quiet by her mother Audrey, was formally reported missing last Thursday morning, 36 hours after she failed to return home.
Initial reports suggested the 15-year-old, who moved from Dublin to Spain with her mother and brother Dean three years ago, may have run away.
Ms Fitzpatrick said she is convinced Amy was being held against her will, but also pleaded with her to get in touch if she had run away.