ALESHA’S DEATH WAS MURDER, SAY POLICE
Six-year-old girl’s family left ‘utterly devastated’
POLICE have launched a murder investigation into the death of Alesha MacPhail. Officers said the six-yearold girl’s family is “utterly devasted” by the news.
THE death of Alesha MacPhail was murder, Police Scotland confirmed late last night.
In a press conference held on the Isle of Bute, where the six-year-old’s body was discovered on Monday morning, officers said the schoolgirl had been murdered.
A hunt has now been launched for her killer.
Detectives were waiting for the results of a post mortem examination, which concluded shortly before 11pm last night.
Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston, the Senior Investigating Officer, said Alesha’s family is “utterly devastated” by the news.
He said: “The body recovered in woodland in Ardbeg Road can be confirmed as that of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail who was reported missing around 6.25am on Monday, July 2.
“The investigation into her death is now being treated as murder.
“Alesha’s family is utterly devastated and we are continuing to provide them with the support they require at this incredibly distressing time.
“Alesha had lots of friends who will no doubt find it very difficult to comprehend why they will never see their friend again.
“Like any other six-yearold, Alesha was looking forward to enjoying her holidays from primary school and was only a few days into a three week summer break visiting relatives on the island.
“For such a young girl to have her life taken away is incomprehensible.”
Forensics officers have been conducting i nquiries at several locations in Rothesay and officers are continuing to carry out door to door enquiries and gathering any private or public CCTV footage for review.
They are also carrying out significant door-to-door inquiries in an effort to establish what may have happened to Alesha.
Mr Houston added: “Again, I would like to reiterate that I am particularly interested in speaking to anyone who was involved in the search for Alesha.
“What did they see? Where did they search? Please let us know.
“You may think that the information you hold is insignificant, however, please contact us and let us be the judge of that.
“Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in the vicinity of Ardbeg Road, where she was staying on Sunday evening, into the early hours of Monday morning or where her body was found? “Please get in touch. “Any information, however small, may help this investigation. I would urge anyone with information to contact the police as soon as possible.
“It is imperative that we find who is responsible for Alesha’s murder.”
Chief Superintendent Hazel Hendren, Divisional Commander of Argyll and West Dunbartonshire, said: “Every available resource from across Police Scotland is
Alesha’s family is utterly devastated
being made available to this major investigation.
“Our absolute priority is catching the person responsible for this horrendous act as quickly as possible.
“I understand that there will be a high level of concern among people living in this close knit community but I want to reassure people that everything possible is being done.
“Incidents such as this are extremely rare but we are still in the early stages of this investigation and we would ask people to be vigilant about their children and also their household security.
“The island community needs to pull together at times like this and we need their help – anyone with any information, please come forward.
“We are working with a number of partner agencies during this inquiry including local authorities and health boards.
“Additional police officers and other resources have travelled to the island and high visibility patrols have been stepped up, with these additional officers patrolling 24 hours a day.
“If anyone has any concerns, or has any information, they can approach these officers.
“We also have an incident caravan situated on the island which is staffed 24 hours.”
People can phone the dedicated incident room at Rothesay Police Office via 101, quoting incident number 0695 of Monday, July 2.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed in confidence.