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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/19/gaia-pope-sister-pays-tribute-beautiful-wise-teenager
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| Gaia Pope's twin sister tells of heartbreak at discovery of body | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Gaia Pope’s twin sister has described her sister as “my everything” and spoke of her heartbreak following the discovery of the missing 19-year-old’s body. | |
| Maya Pope-Sutherland said on Facebook: “Can’t find any words right now. Gaia is my everything and I am heartbroken. I thank everyone who was involved in searching for my beautiful twin. Going to make her so proud.” | |
| Dorset police said they were confident the body found on Saturday afternoon was that of Gaia, who had severe epilepsy and had not been seen for 11 days. Officers were treating the death as unexplained. | |
| The body was discovered by search teams near Swanage in Dorset, close to where clothing belonging to the teenager was found on Thursday. | |
| Gaia’s sister Clara Pope also paid tribute to her sibling, calling her beautiful, wise and the “absolute light of my life”. | |
| She said Gaia “is – I’m not going to say was and never will – the absolute light of my life. So beautiful, so emotionally wise and intelligent and so passionate and artistic and creative and understanding”. | |
| In tears, she told ITV News: “I will always, always, always be one of three. Always one of three. And I just want to thank everybody. Everyone. Every hug, every message has been, you know – one of three, that’s all I have to say.” | In tears, she told ITV News: “I will always, always, always be one of three. Always one of three. And I just want to thank everybody. Everyone. Every hug, every message has been, you know – one of three, that’s all I have to say.” |
| Her cousin, Marienna Pope-Weidemann, said the family was “absolutely devastated”, adding: “Our little bird has flown but will always be with us.” | Her cousin, Marienna Pope-Weidemann, said the family was “absolutely devastated”, adding: “Our little bird has flown but will always be with us.” |
| She thanked those who had helped search for Gaia: “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. | She thanked those who had helped search for Gaia: “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. |
| “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.” |
| The discovery of the body came after hundreds of people joined searches on Saturday around Swanage. | The discovery of the body came after hundreds of people joined searches on Saturday around Swanage. |
| Gaia’s father, Richard Sutherland, joined the searchers and personally thanked those who gathered at Durlston country park: “It is very heartwarming and the support gives us a lot of hope.” | Gaia’s father, Richard Sutherland, joined the searchers and personally thanked those who gathered at Durlston country park: “It is very heartwarming and the support gives us a lot of hope.” |
| He said he feared his daughter’s epilepsy may have played a part in her disappearance, as she had been warned by doctors that her condition could result in sudden death. | He said he feared his daughter’s epilepsy may have played a part in her disappearance, as she had been warned by doctors that her condition could result in sudden death. |
| DS Paul Kessell of Dorset police said: “Although the body has yet to be formally identified, we are confident that we have found Gaia. 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.” | DS Paul Kessell of Dorset police said: “Although the body has yet to be formally identified, we are confident that we have found Gaia. 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.” |
| Kessell said the cause of death remained unexplained and the Dorset coroner would conduct further forensic examinations. “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,” he added. | Kessell said the cause of death remained unexplained and the Dorset coroner would conduct further forensic examinations. “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,” he added. |
| 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, named locally as Paul Elsey. | 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, named locally as Paul Elsey. |
| Gaia had not been seen since about 4pm on 7 November in Manor Gardens, Swanage. An hour earlier she was seen on CCTV buying an ice cream inside a garage in the town, having been driven there by a relative. | Gaia had not been seen since about 4pm on 7 November in Manor Gardens, Swanage. An hour earlier she was seen on CCTV buying an ice cream inside a garage in the town, having been driven there by a relative. |
| The black jacket she was wearing at the time was recovered from an address in Manor Gardens. | The black jacket she was wearing at the time was recovered from an address in Manor Gardens. |
| Forensic investigations have been carried out at two properties in Manor Gardens, which are believed to be linked to the people arrested. | Forensic investigations have been carried out at two properties in Manor Gardens, which are believed to be linked to the people arrested. |