A body has been found in the hunt for missing teenager Gaia Pope.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In a statement Gaia’s sister, Clara Pope, described her as the “light of my life”.<\/p>\n
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”.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
Gaia’s cousin, Marienna Pope-Weidemann, said: “We are absolutely devastated and unable to put those feelings of loss into words.<\/p>\n
“Our little bird has flown, but she will always be with us.”<\/p>\n
Ms Pope-Weidemann added: “We want to thank each and every one of you for everything you’ve done.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Three people have previously been arrested on suspicion of murder and released under investigation.<\/p>\n
Detectives have detained 71-year-old Rosemary Dinch; her 49-year-old son Paul Elsey; and her 19-year-old nephew, Nathan Elsey – all of whom were known to Miss Pope.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“They have requested privacy and that we make no further media releases at this point.”<\/p>\n
Extensive searches took place to locate the teenager, who was last seen at about 16:00 GMT on 7 November in Manor Gardens, Swanage.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of missing person posters were distributed across the county and volunteers helped to scour the town.<\/p>\n
Earlier Miss Pope’s father, Richard Sutherland, told search teams their efforts were “heart-warming”.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He said that forensic examinations would continue.<\/p>\n
“This will guide the investigation in respect of the circumstances of the death which at this time remains unexplained,” he said.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
Source: bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"