Boy, 15, is found killed in village
TRIBUTES have been paid to a boy found dead in a village where a murder investigation is now underway.
Police confirmed the body found by a small lane in leafy Ashley, Cheshire, at 8am on Friday was 15-year-old Alex Rodda, from nearby Knutsford.
An 18-year-old man, from the Knutsford area, was arrested on suspicion of murder and was being held in custody for questioning last night.
Emma Frith wrote on Facebook: “Sleep easy big man. We will always love you and will never forget that infectious smile that lit up a room and brightened everybody’s day.
“Shine bright up there.we will miss you. Our thoughts are with your mum, brother and the rest of the family.”
Alex had been reported missing the previous evening.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Blackwell said: “Our thoughts are with Alex’s family at this difficult time. They are being supported by specialist officers and we request for their privacy to be respected.
“We are in the very early stages of our investigation into Alex’s death, which we are treating as a murder.
“I would like to reassure the community that this is believed to be an isolated incident.we are appealing for anyone with any information or footage that may be relevant to our investigation to get in touch.”
With a population of just a few hundred, Ashley lies two miles from Knutsford, near Manchester Airport.
Denis Oliver, headteacher of Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School, where Alex was in year 11, said: “Alex will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him within our close-knit school family.
“Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers are with Alex’s family and friends at this very sad time.
“There has been much speculation on social media. However, the circumstances around Alex’s death are subject to an ongoing police investigation and we have been asked by them not to comment further at this stage.
“We will continue to co-operate fully with requests from the police.
“School will be open as normal and staff will be on hand to support students affected by this tragic loss.”