FAMILY’S FIGHT FOR JUSTICE
THE family of a teenager who was discovered dead two years after making an allegation of rape say their fight for justice continues a year on since her death.
Nineteen-year-old Gaia Pope’s body was found near a coastal path in Dorset not far from her hometown of Swanage on November 18 last year.
She had been missing for 11 days. An inquest into her death was launched in March, but was postponed due to an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into Dorset Police’s response to her rape claim and her disappearance.
Her family have claimed she was worried about the impending release from prison of a man who she had claimed had raped her.
Tests showed Gaia died of hypothermia.
Speaking this week, her mother Natasha Pope said: “This year has been more painful than words can say. Sometimes I can’t believe I have survived it, but with my every breath I love and demand justice for my daughter.”
Her cousin, Maurienna Pope-Weidemann, said: “When she was missing, it was the support and dedication from the public that kept us going.
“They gave us hope that we would find Gaia.
“A year after her death, we must call on them to help us find justice for her.”
The family want anyone with information about her rape claim or disappearance to come forward.
“Not just for Gaia’s sake, but for the sake of anyone else who might be at risk,” added Ms Pope-Weidemann.
Gaia’s disappearance on November 7 last year sparked searches by police, the coastguard and hundreds of volunteers in the Swanage area.
Her body was found near a coastal path and field between Dancing Ledge and Anvil Point. Items of her clothing were found nearby two days earlier.
The IOPC is also looking at how Dorset Police handled the allegation of rape made by Gaia, who had severe epilepsy and mental health issues.
The family have claimed failings by the police in handling the case impacted her mental and physical state.
An IOPC spokesman said the investigation would be concluded “as quickly and as thoroughly as possible”. He said investigators had visited the scene where her body was found.
“The investigations include reviewing a substantial number of documents gathered, along with police communications, and consideration of national and force policies,” he added.
This year has been more painful than words can say – sometimes I can’t believe I have survived it
NATASHA POPE