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Gaia Pope: Body found near Swanage in search for missing woman | Gaia Pope: Body found near Swanage in search for missing woman |
(about 9 hours later) | |
A body has been found in the hunt for missing teenager Gaia Pope. | A body has been found in the hunt for missing teenager Gaia Pope. |
Dorset Police said they were "confident" that the remains on land near Swanage were those of the 19-year-old, who has been missing for 11 days. | Dorset Police said they were "confident" that the remains on land near Swanage were those of the 19-year-old, who has been missing for 11 days. |
Officers made the discovery at 15:00 GMT on Saturday near a coastal path and field where items of her clothing were found on Thursday. | Officers made the discovery at 15:00 GMT on Saturday near a coastal path and field where items of her clothing were found on Thursday. |
In a statement Gaia's sister, Clara Pope, described her as the "light of my life". | In a statement Gaia's sister, Clara Pope, described her as the "light of my life". |
Ms Pope told ITV News that her sister was "so beautiful, so emotionally wise and intelligent and so passionate and artistic and creative and understanding". | Ms Pope told ITV News that her sister was "so beautiful, so emotionally wise and intelligent and so passionate and artistic and creative and understanding". |
Addressing those people who had searched for Gaia, she added: "I just want to tell everybody that every minute of your hard work has been absolutely worth it." | Addressing those people who had searched for Gaia, she added: "I just want to tell everybody that every minute of your hard work has been absolutely worth it." |
'Bird has flown' | 'Bird has flown' |
Gaia's cousin, Marienna Pope-Weidemann, said: "We are absolutely devastated and unable to put those feelings of loss into words. | Gaia's cousin, Marienna Pope-Weidemann, said: "We are absolutely devastated and unable to put those feelings of loss into words. |
"Our little bird has flown, but she will always be with us." | "Our little bird has flown, but she will always be with us." |
Ms Pope-Weidemann added: "We want to thank each and every one of you for everything you've done. | Ms Pope-Weidemann added: "We want to thank each and every one of you for everything you've done. |
"If there is one ray of light in this nightmare it is the compassion, humanity and community spirit that you've shown over the last 10 days. | "If there is one ray of light in this nightmare it is the compassion, humanity and community spirit that you've shown over the last 10 days. |
Three arrested | Three arrested |
"Your dedication and selflessness for a girl that many of you don't even know has been staggering and one of the few things that kept us going." | "Your dedication and selflessness for a girl that many of you don't even know has been staggering and one of the few things that kept us going." |
Three people have previously been arrested on suspicion of murder and released under investigation. | Three people have previously been arrested on suspicion of murder and released under investigation. |
Detectives detained 71-year-old Rosemary Dinch; her 49-year-old son Paul Elsey; and her 19-year-old grandson Nathan Elsey - all of whom were known to Miss Pope. | |
Det Supt Paul Kessell, of Dorset Police, said: "Although the body has yet to be formally identified, we are confident that we have found Gaia. | Det Supt Paul Kessell, of Dorset Police, said: "Although the body has yet to be formally identified, we are confident that we have found Gaia. |
'Privacy requested' | 'Privacy requested' |
"Her family has been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers. Our thoughts remain with all of her family and friends at this very traumatic time. | "Her family has been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers. Our thoughts remain with all of her family and friends at this very traumatic time. |
"They have requested privacy and that we make no further media releases at this point." | "They have requested privacy and that we make no further media releases at this point." |
Extensive searches took place to locate the teenager, who was last seen at about 16:00 GMT on 7 November in Manor Gardens, Swanage. | Extensive searches took place to locate the teenager, who was last seen at about 16:00 GMT on 7 November in Manor Gardens, Swanage. |
An hour earlier she had been captured on CCTV buying an ice cream inside St Michael's Garage, having been driven there by a relative. | An hour earlier she had been captured on CCTV buying an ice cream inside St Michael's Garage, having been driven there by a relative. |
Hundreds of missing person posters were distributed across the county and volunteers helped to scour the town. | Hundreds of missing person posters were distributed across the county and volunteers helped to scour the town. |
Earlier Miss Pope's father, Richard Sutherland, told search teams their efforts were "heart-warming". | Earlier Miss Pope's father, Richard Sutherland, told search teams their efforts were "heart-warming". |
Forensic tests | Forensic tests |
Det Supt Kessell, of Dorset Police's major crime investigation team, said the Dorset coroner had been informed and a post-mortem examination would take place. | Det Supt Kessell, of Dorset Police's major crime investigation team, said the Dorset coroner had been informed and a post-mortem examination would take place. |
He said that forensic examinations would continue. | He said that forensic examinations would continue. |
"This will guide the investigation in respect of the circumstances of the death which at this time remains unexplained," he said. | "This will guide the investigation in respect of the circumstances of the death which at this time remains unexplained," he said. |
He added: "I can confirm that we have recovered all the clothing we believe Gaia was wearing when she disappeared and, with thanks, we no longer require the public to assist with searches." | He added: "I can confirm that we have recovered all the clothing we believe Gaia was wearing when she disappeared and, with thanks, we no longer require the public to assist with searches." |