Chief’s tribute to police officer found dead in lake
MUM-OF-THREE ‘ONE OF NICEST WOMEN YOU COULD EVER MEET’
THE chief constable of GMP has paid tribute to tragic officer Leanne McKie – a serving officer who worked tirelessly to help victims of sexual assault.
The body of the mother-of-three, from Wilmslow, was found in water in Poynton near Stockport, in the early hours of Friday.
A 43-year-old man from Wilmslow has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He was being questioned by police last night.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “It is with great sadness that I can confirm that the body of serving GMP officer Leanne McKie was found in Poynton and a murder investigation has been launched by Cheshire Police.
“I would like to offer my most sincere condolences to Leanne’s family and friends at this devastating time. My heart particularly goes out to her three young children, who she adored.”
He said Ms McKie had served with Greater Manchester Police since 2001 as a detective working in the Serious Sexual Offences Unit.
Describing Ms McKie as popular among her colleagues, he said they had been left devastated by her death.
Ms McKie, 39, was also described as ‘one of the nicest women you could ever wish to meet’ by friends on social media.
Police were first called at around 3.45am on Friday to reports a body had been found in the lake at Poynton Park. Cheshire officers later confirmed it was Ms McKie.
Det Insp Adam Waller said: “Investigations into her death are currently ongoing and we are working hard to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. I would like to reassure local residents that at this stage this appears to be an isolated incident and we are not looking for anyone else in relation to her death.”
An image of Ms McKie’s car – a red Mini Countryman, registration DA12 DFO – has been issued.
Murder squad detectives said they need to know more about her movements in the vehicle and have issued a plea for information.
Officers want to speak to anyone with information – or dashcam footage – who may have been driving along, or in the immediate vicinity of, the A523 between Poynton and Poynton Park or along the A5149 Chester Road, towards Wilmslow, between 11.30pm on Thursday and 3.30am on Friday.
Anyone with information is asked to call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 93 of September 29, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.