Moving family tribute after grim clifftop discovery Gaia cops find body

GAIA Pope’s body was found yesterday – after thousands of volunteers had joined her father to search for her.

The grim discovery was made by police at around 3pm near the coastal path and field where the 19-yearold’s clothing was found.

Det Supt Paul Kessell said: “Although the body has yet to be formally identified, we are confident we have found Gaia. Her family have been informed.”

Specialist search teams who recovered the body had been joined by her father Richard and a thousand volunteers who formed human chains and scoured three areas around Swanage, Dorset. They retraced steps where Gaia was last seen 12 days ago, crawling through undergrowth and boggy ground alongside coastguards and firemen.

Her body was found in a cliff-top field between Anvil Point and Dancing Ledge, close to the popular South West Coast Path. Detectives had been focusing forensic investigations on homes and cars, as well as the area near the path.

Gaia’s sister Clara paid tribute to “the light of her life” last night.

She said: “She is – I’m not going to say was and never will – the absolute light of my life. So beautiful, so emotionally wise and intelligent and so passionate and artistic and creative and understanding.”

She said that she would “always be one of three” siblings and thanked the public in their attempts to help find the missing teenager.

Gaia’s cousin, Marienna Pope- Weidemann, also paid tribute to the public for the help and support they had given the family.

She said: “If there is one ray of light in this nightmare it is the compassion, humanity and community spirit that you’ve shown.”

Det Supt Kessell added: “The coroner has been notified. Further forensic examination will continue.

“This will guide the investigation in respect of the circumstances of the death which at this time is unexplained. We have recovered all clothing we believe Gaia was wearing.”

Gaia’s mother Natasha and family had organised the public search using social media on Friday night, hours after Paul Elsey, 49, became the third suspect to be released under investigation, having been held on suspicion of murder.

Clues

Paul’s mum Rosemary, 71, and nephew Nathan, 19, an old pal of Gaia’s and an extra alongside Harry Styles in hit movie Dunkirk, were freed under investigation this week.

wSpeaking before her body was found, Paul’s dad Greg, 69, said his son was working all day 30 miles away when Gaia went missing.

The 69-year-old said police had confiscated his son’s phone along with those of grandson Nathan, exwife Rosemary and daughter Debbie.

Gaia, who had severe epilepsy and post traumatic stress, vanished after last being seen on CCTV running in a distressed state along a road in Swanage at 3.39pm on November 7.

The health and social care student had a GP appointment that afternoon, but did not turn up.

It is thought she had recently become the victim of online taunts.