There were claims in the media in the Summer of 2000 that an air sea search and rescue had taken place at Beachy Head on or around the 15th of December 1999 as a result of Fiona's black Rover 820 having been found in the vicinity.
These claims are unsubstantiated as no press records for the month of December 99 can be found, the earliest mention or suggestion of such a search was six months later in a program called Britain's Most Wanted in which Fiona featured as a wanted fugitive.
When asked in 2006 if there was any evidence that the search had taken place the Maritime and Coastguard Agency replied:
Subject: Re: Beachy Head 1999
Date: Fri, 05 May 2006 07:59:34 +0100
Dear Madam, I have searched out records and as suspected they do not go back that far. We are therefor unable to provide you with the requested information.
Yours Sincerely
Audrey Guillon
Assistant Enforcement Officer
Enforcement Unit
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 1/05 105 Commercial Road
Spring Place
Southampton
SO15 1EG
Tel: +33 (0)2380 329 529
Fax: +33 (0)2380 329 232
It is interesting to note that the coastguard could not find any such records and yet the media at the time were full of claims that such a search had taken place, based upon the word of Steve Skerrett.