Pills probe as Shellie, 16 dies at party
Police start drug investigation after girl loses fight for life in hospital
A 16-year- old girl has died after falling ill at a house party.
Police are investigating claims that Shellie Callaghan took ecstasy or another drug.
The teenager fell ill at a house in Newtongrange, Midlothian, yesterday morning. Local sources said she was one of four girls rushed to hospital.
Shel l ie was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but lost her fight for life hours later.
As her devastated family and friends were trying to come to terms with the tragedy, Police Scotland launched an investigation into Shellie’s death.
A post-mortem and blood tests will be carried out.
Shel l ie lived with her dad Frank Callaghan and mum Diane Kerr. They were being comforted by relatives last night.
A neighbour said: “They are a lovely family. This is devastating news.”
It’s unclear who raised the alarm with emergency services or whether Shellie was at home when she fell ill.
Friends posted emotional messages on Facebook as word spread of her sudden death. Nikita Crombie wrote: “My childhood best f riend, my sister, my everything. Fly high, Shellie, I’ll do my best to make you proud, my princess.”
Leah Waites added: “Love you Shellie, fly high. You’ll be the brightest star in the sky tonight . My lassie forever and always.”
A police spokesman said: “Inquiries into the ful l circumstances are at an early stage and ongoing.”
Shellie’s death is the latest in a series of fatalities linked to ecstasy.
Business student Lee Kelly, 19, died after taking a pil l on a night out at Glasgow’s O2 Academy last Hogmanay and schoolgirl Regane MacColl, 17, died in February 2014 after col lapsing at the city’s Arches nightclub.
Another student, Kevin Hastings, 17, died after taking a tablet at a Glasgow party in June 2013.
Another six deaths in 2013 were linked to fake pills called Green Rolex.