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| Gaia Pope: Sister says teenager was 'light of my life' | Gaia Pope: Sister says teenager was 'light of my life' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The sister of Gaia Pope has described the teenager as the "absolute light of my life", after police found a body on Saturday. | The sister of Gaia Pope has described the teenager as the "absolute light of my life", after police found a body on Saturday. |
| Clara Pope-Sutherland said her sister was "intelligent, beautiful and emotionally wise", in a tribute to the 19-year-old from Dorset. | Clara Pope-Sutherland said her sister was "intelligent, beautiful and emotionally wise", in a tribute to the 19-year-old from Dorset. |
| The body was found at about 15:00 (GMT) near Swanage, close to where items of her clothing were found on Thursday. | The body was found at about 15:00 (GMT) near Swanage, close to where items of her clothing were found on Thursday. |
| Dorset Police said it was "confident" it was the missing woman. | Dorset Police said it was "confident" it was the missing woman. |
| Miss Pope had not been seen for 11 days before the discovery of the body near the coast path. | Miss Pope had not been seen for 11 days before the discovery of the body near the coast path. |
| Det Supt Paul Kessell, of Dorset Police's major crime investigation team, said a post-mortem examination would take place and forensic examinations would continue. | Det Supt Paul Kessell, of Dorset Police's major crime investigation team, said a post-mortem examination would take place and 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. |
| Det Supt Kessell said all the clothing had been found and the public was no longer needed to help with the searches. | Det Supt Kessell said all the clothing had been found and the public was no longer needed to help with the searches. |
| He said Miss Pope's family was being supported by specially-trained officers. | He said Miss Pope's family was being supported by specially-trained officers. |
| Miss Pope's cousin, Marienna Pope-Weidemann, said: "We are absolutely devastated and unable to put those feelings of loss into words. | Miss Pope'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." |
| 'Community spirit' | 'Community spirit' |
| The teenager's body was discovered by police on Saturday afternoon as local people took part in three mass searches of land around Swanage. | The teenager's body was discovered by police on Saturday afternoon as local people took part in three mass searches of land around Swanage. |
| Addressing those volunteers who searched, her sister said: "Every minute of your hard work has been absolutely worth it." | |
| Miss Pope-Weidemann said the "dedication and selflessness" of local people was one of the few things which kept the family going during the search. | |
| "If there is one ray of light in this nightmare it is the compassion, humanity and community spirit which you have shown," she said. | |
| During the search for Miss Pope three people were arrested on suspicion of murder and released under investigation. | During the search for Miss Pope three people were arrested on suspicion of murder and released under investigation. |
| They were 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. | They were 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. |
| The search for Gaia Pope | The search for Gaia Pope |
| 7 November: Miss Pope is driven by a family member from Langton Matravers to Swanage. At 14:55, she is caught on CCTV at St Michael's Garage buying ice cream. The last confirmed sighting is at 16:00 at an address in Manor Gardens on Morrison Road | 7 November: Miss Pope is driven by a family member from Langton Matravers to Swanage. At 14:55, she is caught on CCTV at St Michael's Garage buying ice cream. The last confirmed sighting is at 16:00 at an address in Manor Gardens on Morrison Road |
| 8 November: Her family makes a plea through police for her to make contact. Dorset Police says it is "becoming increasingly concerned" | 8 November: Her family makes a plea through police for her to make contact. Dorset Police says it is "becoming increasingly concerned" |
| 9 November: Searches by police, the coastguard and force helicopter are carried out in the Swanage area. Miss Pope's relatives release a statement saying they are "frantic with worry" | 9 November: Searches by police, the coastguard and force helicopter are carried out in the Swanage area. Miss Pope's relatives release a statement saying they are "frantic with worry" |
| 10 November: CCTV footage shows Miss Pope on Morrison Road, Manor Gardens, at 15:39 on 7 November | 10 November: CCTV footage shows Miss Pope on Morrison Road, Manor Gardens, at 15:39 on 7 November |
| 13 November: Rosemary Dinch and Nathan Elsey are arrested on suspicion of murder and released under investigation | 13 November: Rosemary Dinch and Nathan Elsey are arrested on suspicion of murder and released under investigation |
| 14 November: Searches continue with the coastguard and volunteers from Dorset Search and Rescue and Wessex 4x4 | 14 November: Searches continue with the coastguard and volunteers from Dorset Search and Rescue and Wessex 4x4 |
| 15 November: CCTV images of Miss Pope at St Michael's Garage are released. Searches continue to concentrate inland | 15 November: CCTV images of Miss Pope at St Michael's Garage are released. Searches continue to concentrate inland |
| 16 November: Paul Elsey is arrested on suspicion of murder. Miss Pope's clothing is discovered in a field near Swanage and a police cordon is set up | 16 November: Paul Elsey is arrested on suspicion of murder. Miss Pope's clothing is discovered in a field near Swanage and a police cordon is set up |
| 17 November: Mr Elsey is released under investigation | 17 November: Mr Elsey is released under investigation |
| 18 November: Police discover a body near the coast path and a field close to where items of her clothing were found on Thursday | 18 November: Police discover a body near the coast path and a field close to where items of her clothing were found on Thursday |