SNOWBOARD STAR’S ‘SUICIDE IN WOODS’

Police dogs find body of tragic champ Ellie near Alps home

THE body of tragic snowboarder Ellie Soutter was found in woodland close to her home in the French Alps, it was revealed last night.

Police dogs are said to have made the grim discovery at 11.15pm at Les Gets on Wednesday, her 18th birthday.

Ellie took her own life weeks after making Team GB for a junior event in New Zealand next month.

Her uncle Jeremy Soutter also confirmed she left no note and there had been “no signs at all” that his “chirpy” niece would consider killing herself.

But hinting at the pressure she put on herself, he added: “She wanted to be good at everything. There is certainly a lot of pressure from competing. She had a very busy training schedule that takes its toll.”

Family and friends had been due to attend a huge joint party last night to celebrate her birthday and that of her “devastated” dad Tony, whose birthday is on Monday.

After paying tribute to Ellie, British Ski and

Snowboard urged other youngsters to contact Samaritans for support if they had any problems. A spokesman added: “Ellie was one of our best up-and-coming snowboarders.” Tony broke the news of her death on Thursday, posting: “This cruel world took my soulmate from me.” They had just returned to Les Gets after a family wedding in the UK. British ski cross champion Emily Sarsfield led the tributes, saying: “You really were amazing. Such a fun team-mate, made me smile every day.”

Ellie won bronze at the 2017 European Youth Olympics in Turkey. Her mum Lorraine Denman is a body builder who lives in East Sussex.

MEDAL JOY Ellie had won bronze in Turkey

DEVOTED Dad Tony gives his daughter a hug

MUM Body builder Lorraine