Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
FAMILY’S AGONY AS BODY OF ALESHA FOUND
Mystery over Airdrie girl’s death
Emotional tributes have been paid to the little Airdrie schoolgirl found dead on the Isle of Bute.
Chapelside Primary pupil Alesha MacPhail’s body was discovered in woodland on Monday morning, with her devastated mum Georgina Lochrane finding out the news every parent dreads on social media. Alesha, six, had been staying with her dad Robert and gran Angela King at their home in Port Bannatyne when police were alerted that she was missing. The youngster’s body was found less than three hours later, in the grounds of a derelict hotel about half-a-mile away. Back home in Coatbridge, Coatbridge Alesha’s mum Georgina, 23 23, reacted to initial reports of the tragic discovery and posted on Facebook: “Someone tell me what’s happened happened. That’s my daughter.” Alan Alan McGuire, partner of Alesha’s cousin Lisamarie, Lisamarie said: “We a ar re e devastated about what has happened because she was a lovely wee girl. “At the moment we simply don’t know what is happening. happening We are waiting to
hear if the police are treating it as suspicious or as a tragic accident.”
Lisamarie went on:“I don’t want to say too much because we don’t know many facts.
“She was a lovely girl and this has been a shock.”
Another relative said:“The family have had a lot of heartbreak in recent years but this is unbearable.
“The police are investigating and at this stage we don’t know if this is an accident or something even worse.”
Alesha was reported missing at 6.25am on Monday and her body was discovered at about 9am.
Her gran Angela had earlier shared an appeal on Facebook urging people to help look for the girl.
Alesha’s mum Georgina then posted on Angela’s Facebook page asking her to get in touch.
After reports emerged that a body had been found, despairing Georgina then posted on the social media site to ask what had happened.
She was later escorted by police from her home and taken to the island.
Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston, of the Major Investigation Team, said:“I must reiterate that this death is still being treated as unexplained at this time. However, I would like to reassure the public that this type of incident is rare.”
Wendy Davie, head teacher of Chapelside Primary School, said: “Alesha started with us in 2016 and had just finished Primary 2.
“Alesha was very friendly and she welcomed everyone first thing in the morning at breakfast club. She was a very considerate child who loved being part of a group and she was popular with all the other children and was a smiley and happy young girl.
“She loved being at school and enjoyed all aspects of literacy, in particular writing. She was such a perfectionist in her handwriting and was very proud of her work.
“She was part of the family of Chapelside Primary and she will be greatly missed by everyone at the school. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and Chapelside Primary community at this very sad time.”