Mystery death of girl who vanished from island home
DETECTIVES are trying to piece together the final hours of the life of a six-year-old girl whose body was found in woodland.
Alesha MacPhail had been reported missing several hours before the grim find was made yesterday morning.
The child was found in the grounds of a disused hotel on the Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde. It is not yet known how she died although police have described her death as being “unexplained”.
Last night, officers were seen going in and out of the home belonging to Alesha’s grandmother, Angela King, which is located near Rothesay, the Scottish island’s main town.
The body was discovered about half-a-mile from there.
The alarm had been raised at 6.25am by Ms King, who took to social media to ask islanders for their help in finding the little girl after she realised she was missing from her home.
Unexplained
At 9am, Police Scotland issued a statement saying a child’s body had been found on the site of the former Kyles of Bute Hydropathic Hotel.
It is believed Alesha had been staying on Bute with her father, Rab MacPhail and her grandparents Calum MacPhail and Ms King.
Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Teams said: “This death of a six-year-old child has shocked the tight-knit community of Rothesay and it is imperative that we find out what has happened.
“This investigation is at its very early stages. However, I am appealing for information in order to piece together Alesha’s last known movements.”
He added: “We know that once the alarm was raised, there were a number of people who assisted with the search. I would like to speak to anyone who was involved in that search who has not yet been spoken to by the police.
“I must reiterate that this death is being treated as unexplained at this time. However, I would like to reassure the public that this type of incident is rare.”
News of Alesha’s death has stunned the tightly-knit community of about 6,500 people and locals yesterday spoke of their horror at the tragedy.
Property developer John Morrison told the BBC: “Terrible, terrible. We are going to know the family, or someone connected with them. It brings it right home, it is such a shock.”
By yesterday afternoon, a number of floral tributes had been laid close to the police cordon which had been put in place outside Ms King’s house.
Other people took to social media to leave their messages of condolence.
Mike Russell, SNP MSP for Argyll and Bute wrote: “Desperately sorry to hear this – all thoughts with her family and the island community.”
Another well-wisher posted: “Absolutely horrific news. Thinking of you all at this desperately sad time. RIP Alesha. xx.”
One person simply commented: “I am so sorry Angela and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all xxx.”