Police say teenager Louise was murdered

DETECTIVES investigating the death of teenager Louise Smith yesterday confirmed she was murdered.

The 16-year-old had been missing for two weeks before her body was found in woods close to her home last Thursday.

A post-mortem examination has been carried out but police have not revealed the cause of death. Around 100 officers are working on the case and are piecing together her final movements.

Detective Chief Superintendent Scott Mackechnie said yesterday: ‘At 11.45 on Thursday morning we found the body of a young girl and last night we were able to confirm that was Louise Smith.

‘Our thoughts and condolences are with Louise’s family and friends at this sad time. This is now a murder investigation and we are focused on identifying who is responsible for Louise’s sad death.’

Shane and Chazlynn Jane Mays, both 29, were arrested on suspicion of kidnapping on May 15, but have been released on bail.

The couple, who are understood to be related to Miss Smith, pictured, have not been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Their flat, close to Miss Smith’s home, was searched by specialist forensics officers last week and neighbours said they heard sniffer dogs inside the property on Thursday morning. Locals said that the teenager had been staying with the married couple before she went missing.

Mr May’s sister Cassie Rawlinson told The Sun: ‘Shane took her in because he is kind like that. I don’t think it was the first time she had stayed there either.

‘Shane is lovely and he helps anyone out. They’re both nice people and always help people who need it. They were the ones looking after the girl, they were the ones who reported her missing and contacted her mum, they were the ones who put it on social media asking everyone else.’

Miss Smith’s body was discovered in a large wood around a mile from her house in Havant, Hampshire.

She was last seen on VE Day, May 8, and a new CCTV image was released yesterday to encourage people to come forward with information.

Mr Mackechnie said Rebecca Cooper, Louise’s mother, was ‘upset’ and ‘distressed’.

On Saturday, Miss Cooper paid tribute to her daughter by posting a photo of them together with the message ‘so proud of my girl Louise’.