Police f ind missing Gaia’s body on clifftop
11- day hunt for Dorset teenager ends in heartbreak for family
POLICE searching for missing teenager Gaia Pope last night revealed her body had been found on a clifftop near her home.
The grim discovery followed 11 days of searching for the severely epileptic 19-year-old who vanished from her home near Swanage, Dorset, on November 7.
Officers said a woman’s body was found at 3pm yesterday by search teams near a coastal path and field where items of her clothing had been found two days earlier.
The cause of her death was being treated as‘ unexplained’ last night, awaiting a postmortem examination. Throughout the search for Gaia, police have been reluctant to label it a murder inquiry, despite three people from one family being arrested and released on suspicion of killing her last week.
Detective Superintendent Paul Kessell, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: ‘Although the body has yet to be formally identified, we are confident that we have found Gaia.
‘Her family have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers. Our thoughts remain with all of her family and friends at this very traumatic time.’
Yesterday, locals were joined by many from outside the area as they desperately combed parks, woodlands and clifftops around the Isle of Purbeck, the peninsula which includes Swanage and Gaia’s home village, Langton Matravers.
Just before 8pm, police announced the news Gaia’s family had been dreading – a body had been found.
Gaia suffered from severe epilepsy – leading to sometimes daily fits – and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to her family.
She was last seen in Swanage on November 7, when CCTV captured her running past a house. She was also filmed in a petrol station buying ice cream.
Last Monday, police arrested Rosemary Dinch, 71, and her grandson Nathan Elsey, 19, and questioned them on suspicion of murder. Both were released a day later.
Paul Elsey, Rosemary’s son and Nathan’s uncle, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of murder. The 49-year-old carpenter was also released the following day after being interviewed. Det Supt Kes-
‘Death being treated as unexplained’
sell added: ‘I would like to thank the community for their support and understanding while this largescale investigation continues and their efforts in looking for Gaia.
‘We have received a huge amount of support from the public who have contacted us with possible sightings of Gaia and items of found clothing.
‘I can confirm that we have recovered all the clothing we believe Gaia was wearing when she disappeared and, with thanks, we no longer require the public to assist with searches.’
Yesterday Gaia’s father thanked the searchers at Durlston Country Park. Addressing the members of the public who had gathered, Richard Sutherland said: ‘I just want to say a massive thank you for coming out. It is very heart-warming.’
On Friday, actress Natasha Pope, the teenager’s mother, said she believed ‘miracles can happen’. She said: ‘I am holding on to hope.’