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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 3 hours later) | |
| The sister of Gaia Pope, whose body was found on Saturday, has described her as the "absolute light of my life". | The sister of Gaia Pope, whose body was found on Saturday, has described her as the "absolute light of my life". |
| Clara Pope-Sutherland said the 19-year-old was "intelligent, beautiful and emotionally wise". | Clara Pope-Sutherland said the 19-year-old was "intelligent, beautiful and emotionally wise". |
| The teenager had not been seen for 11 days before her remains were found in a field near Swanage, close to where some of her clothing was found on Thursday. | The teenager had not been seen for 11 days before her remains were found in a field near Swanage, close to where some of her clothing was found on Thursday. |
| Dorset Police said it was "confident" it was her and a post-mortem examination is due to take place. | Dorset Police said it was "confident" it was her and a post-mortem examination is due to take place. |
| Det Supt Paul Kessell said: "This will guide the investigation in respect of the circumstances of the death, which at this time remains unexplained." | Det Supt Paul Kessell said: "This will guide the investigation in respect of the circumstances of the death, which at this time remains unexplained." |
| 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." |
| The teenager's body was discovered by police at about 15:00 GMT, as local people took part in three mass searches of land around the town. | The teenager's body was discovered by police at about 15:00 GMT, as local people took part in three mass searches of land around the town. |
| Addressing volunteers Miss Pope's sister said: "Every minute of your hard work has been absolutely worth it." | Addressing volunteers Miss Pope's sister said: "Every minute of your hard work has been absolutely worth it." |
| 'Community spirit' | 'Community spirit' |
| She added said the "dedication and selflessness" of local people was one of the few things which kept the family going during the search. | She added 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." | "If there is one ray of light in this nightmare it is the compassion, humanity and community spirit which you have shown." |
| Det Supt Kessell thanked the public for their help and said no further assistance was needed with the searches. | Det Supt Kessell thanked the public for their help and said no further assistance was needed with the searches. |
| During the investigation, three people were arrested on suspicion of murder and released under investigation. | During the investigation, 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. |
| Many members of the public have shared their condolences with Miss Pope's family on the Find Gaia Facebook group. | Many members of the public have shared their condolences with Miss Pope's family on the Find Gaia Facebook group. |
| Amy Howes wrote "our village is mourning a terrible loss this morning, such sad news". | Amy Howes wrote "our village is mourning a terrible loss this morning, such sad news". |
| Sonia Card said: "Such sad news. Didn't know Gaia or her family. But spent time searching in the hope we would find her. So sorry we didn't." | Sonia Card said: "Such sad news. Didn't know Gaia or her family. But spent time searching in the hope we would find her. So sorry we didn't." |
| A church service is being held at 18:30 GMT at St Mary's Church in Swanage. | |
| Team rector, the Very Reverend John Mann, said: "It is good to have an opportunity for people to come together from right across the town. | |
| "At times like this people don't know what to say, they don't know what to do, and they need a focus of attention." | |
| In a post on Twitter, The Bishop of Sherborne, Karen Gorham, said prayers would be said across Dorset for Miss Pope's family and friends. | |
| 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 seen 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 seen 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 her clothing was found | 18 November: Police discover a body near the coast path and a field close to where her clothing was found |