Riddle of author’s girl found dead in a stream
A GIRL of 11 whose body was found in a stream was the daughter of a novelist and university lecturer.
Police issued an alert after Ursula Keogh went missing while walking home from school on Monday. Five hours later they discovered her body in a brook. They have ruled out foul play.
Her mother Nicky Harlow writes fiction for adults and children and is also a lecturer in creative writing at the Open University.
She had moved last year to Halifax where her daughter had enrolled at the town’s Lightcliffe Academy.
A statement from the secondary school said: ‘Following the tragic death last night of our student Ursula Keogh, the academy is open as we
‘Supporting students’
look to support students and the whole academy community with this heartbreaking loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ursula’s family and friends at this very difficult time.’
Miss Harlow had posted on Facebook a picture of her daughter in Lightcliffe’s uniform at the start of term last September. She has been an author for more than 20 years and was one of seven Manchester Writing School graduates who founded their own publishing house. She also co-hosts a fortnightly radio show in Yorkshire with children’s poet Craig Bradley featuring ‘witter, waffle and jolly good music’. She and her partner, David Keogh, had lived with Ursula in Hebden Bridge before moving the nine miles to Halifax.
The 52-year-old mother of two was too upset to comment last night.
Dozens of messages were posted on social media by wellwishers yesterday. Bernie Jackson said: ‘RIP Ursula. You didn’t deserve this – my thoughts to the family.’ In another post, Kate Sugden wrote: ‘Rest in peace little lady. Sending love and prayers to the family.’ A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the body found at Hebble Brook in Halifax had been formally identified as Ursula.
‘Police are working to establish the full circumstances and will prepare a file for the coroner,’ he said. ‘Her family are being supported by specialist officers and have requested privacy at this extremely difficult time.’ Officers have refused to discuss the circumstances of Ursula’s death or any problems she may have had.
On her website Miss Harlow says she is in the final stage of a PhD in creative writing.
Her children’s books include The Glass Stairs, the first in a planned series set in Saint Cecilia’s school for girls with a talent in music.