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Police 'confident' body found in hunt for Gaia Pope is missing teenager Police 'confident' body found in hunt for Gaia Pope is missing teenager
(35 minutes later)
The body of a woman has been found in the hunt for missing teenager Gaia Pope, which police are “confident” is the 19-year-old.The body of a woman has been found in the hunt for missing teenager Gaia Pope, which police are “confident” is the 19-year-old.
The discovery was made on land south of Swanage, close to where clothing positively identified as Pope was found on Thursday.The discovery was made on land south of Swanage, close to where clothing positively identified as Pope was found on Thursday.
Pope had not been seen since she vanished on the afternoon of 7 November.Pope had not been seen since she vanished on the afternoon of 7 November.
Dorset Police said the discovery was made at around 3pm on Saturday by specialist search teams near the coastal path and the field where items of her clothing were located.Dorset Police said the discovery was made at around 3pm on Saturday by specialist search teams near the coastal path and the field where items of her clothing were located.
Det Supt Paul Kessell, of Dorset police’s major crime investigation team, 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’s major crime investigation team, said: “Although the body has yet to be formally identified, we are confident that we have found Gaia.
“Her family have 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.“Her family have 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.
“The coroner has been notified and further forensic examination will continue. This will guide the investigation in respect of the circumstances of the death which at this time remains unexplained.“The coroner has been notified and further forensic examination will continue. This will guide the investigation in respect of the circumstances of the death which at this time remains unexplained.
“I would like to thank the community for their support and understanding while this large-scale investigation continues and their efforts in looking for Gaia.“I would like to thank the community for their support and understanding while this large-scale investigation continues and their efforts in looking for Gaia.
“We have received a huge amount of support from the public who have contacted us with possible sightings of Gaia and items of found clothing.“We have received a huge amount of support from the public who have contacted us with possible sightings of Gaia and items of found clothing.
“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.”“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.”
The news comes hours after hundreds of people, along with Pope’s father, Richard Sutherland, joined searches on Saturday afternoon looking for the teenager.
Addressing members of the public who had gathered, Sutherland said: “I just want to say a massive thank you for coming out.”
The mass searches had been organised by the Find Gaia group on Facebook. Volunteers gathered at the Durlston country park, near the main beach and to the north of the town to look for the teenager, who suffers from severe epilepsy. Since she disappeared hundreds of missing person posters have been distributed across the county.
Detectives have arrested and released under investigation three people, a 71-year-old woman, a 19-year-old man and a 49-year-old man.
On Friday Gaia’s mother, Natasha Pope, said she has not given up hope her daughter will be found alive, saying: “I believe miracles can happen.”
In a message posted on social media, her mother said: “I believe in this community and I believe miracles can happen. I am holding on to hope, along with Gaia’s sisters and the whole family who are my strength. Please hold on with us. My eternal thanks to everyone who is out there searching for my little girl.”
Earlier, Sutherland said he feared his daughter’s epilepsy may have played a part in her disappearance as she had been warned by doctors she was at risk of sudden death from the condition. Pope has not been seen since about 4pm on 7 November in Manor Gardens, Swanage.
An hour earlier she was captured on CCTV buying an ice cream inside St Michael’s garage in the town, having been driven there by a relative.
She was said to be wearing a red checked shirt with white buttons, grey and white woven leggings and white trainers. The black jacket she had on was recovered from an address in Manor Gardens.
Forensic investigations have concluded at two properties in Manor Gardens, which are believed to be the homes of a 71-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man. The pair were released under investigation on Tuesday after being arrested on suspicion of murder the previous day.