Body found in search for Gaia Pope

The body of a woman, beleived to be Gaia, was found on land by specialist search teams near Swanage yesterday.

Although the body has yet to be formally identified, officers are confident that it is Gaia and her family is being supported by specially-trained officers.

In an update to the investigation, Detective Superintendent Paul Kessell, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “The post-mortem examination has not identified any injuries to suggest any other person was involved in her death. The cause of death is undetermined pending toxicology.

“The coroner is involved in the oversight of these examinations but at this time this remains an investigation into an unexplained death. 

“We would like to take this further opportunity to pass our thoughts to Gaia’s family who we continue to support and who ask for respect of their privacy at this incredibly stressful time. 

“Once again I would like to pass our thanks to the public volunteers and partner organisations who have supported this inquiry throughout and have been material in locating Gaia. 

“The area where the body was located is likely to remain cordoned off for some time while forensic examinations and searches are concluded. 

“Please can I ask that the public no longer attend to assist with searches and that they remain a safe distance from the location. I reiterate this area is steep and slippery in an exposed area close to sea cliffs. The area is covered in dense undergrowth and gorse and can present a hazard. Only specially-trained search and forensic teams are entering the area, assisted by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service recovery teams.”

Gaia's family is issuing their thanks to the Find Gaia volunteer group for all their hard work and unwavering support. 

Two men aged 19 and 49 and a 71-year-old woman, all from Swanage and known to Gaia, were arrested on suspicion of murder earlier this week and have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Meanwhile the sister of Gaia Pope has described the teenager as the "absolute light of my life" as her family were coming to terms with the news that a body has been discovered in the hunt for the missing 19-year-old.

Clara Pope said her sister was "so beautiful, so emotionally wise and intelligent and so passionate and artistic and creative and understanding".

Dorset Police said they were "confident" they had found Gaia, who has not been seen for 11 days, and said the death was being treated as "unexplained".

The discovery was made at around 3pm on Saturday by specialist search teams on land south of Swanage - close to where clothing positively identified as belonging to the teenager was found on Thursday.

Fighting back tears, Gaia's sister told ITV News: "I just want to tell everybody that every minute of your hard work has been absolutely worth it.

"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.

"And I will always, always, always be one of three. Always one of three. And I just want to thank everybody.

"Everyone. Every hug, every message has been, you know - one of three, that's all I have to say."

Her cousin, Marienna Pope-Weidemann, also told ITV News on Saturday: "We want to thank each and every one of you for everything you've done.

"If there is one ray of light in this nightmare it is the compassion, humanity and community spirit that you've shown over the last 10 days.

"Your dedication and selflessness for a girl that many of you don't even know has been staggering and one of the few things that kept us going.

"This afternoon the emergency services found Gaia's body. We are absolutely devastated and unable to put those feelings of loss into words.

"We thank you for everything you have done. Our little bird has flown but will always be with us."

Detective Superintendent Paul Kessell, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said on Saturday: “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. They have requested privacy and that we make no further media releases at this point.

“The coroner has been notified and further forensic examination will continue. This will guide the investigation in respect of the circumstances of the death which at this time remains unexplained. 

“I would like to thank the community for their support and understanding while this large-scale 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."

Extensive searches have been led by Dorset Police. The force has been supported by specialist officers and teams, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, the coastguard, national search advisors, the NPAS helicopter, Dorset Search & Rescue, Wessex 4x4 and the Search & Rescue Dogs Association.

Coordinated local volunteers have also assisted in liaison with the police search operation.

Police said they would like to thank partner agencies and volunteers for their support which has led to today’s developments.

Two men aged 19 and 49 and a 71-year-old woman, all from Swanage and known to Gaia, were arrested on suspicion of murder earlier this week and have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

The develoment comes after a major  public search involving scores of people took place at Durlston Country Park in Swanage.

Family members, friends and other members of the public gathered as the hunt for 19-year-old Gaia entered its 11th day.

They were greeted at the scene by Gaia’s father, Richard Sutherland, who said: “A huge thank you all for coming out today. It’s very heart-warming and the support gives us a lot of hope so thank you very much.”

Picture: PA

PC Simon Colvin, neighbourhood police officer for Swanage, also thanked those involved and gave them advice.

He said: “Some of you have travelled a long way. I saw on Facebook that someone has travelled 300 miles to come here today, so people’s help really is appreciated. Out on the cliffs and the fields and all around Swanage there are mines, some of these will be covered in brambles, so really be careful where you’re going.

“Sundown will be about 4.15pm, so we would like everyone back here by 4pm. The last thing we need is anyone endangering themselves that could take resources away elsewhere.

“As well as your searches today there’s a search by the police that consists of 50 personnel, which is led by the police but includes other agencies such as coastguards and the fire brigade”

“If you find something that you think we may be interested in, leave it, call us and that decision will be made.”

Many of the police officers searched on the clifftop near Dancing Ledge.

Many of the members of the public involved in the search spoke of their concern for Gaia’s family and the overwhelming desire to help to find her.

Leigh Van De Zande, 58, of Langton Matravers, said: “If one of my children was missing I would hope everyone would do what they are doing here by coming to help and doing as much as they could.

“With everybody searching hopefully they will find something, some clue. I work for a local field study centre in Langton Matravers and we’ve got a big box of fluorescent jackets so I thought we’d bring them along for anyone that wants one. At least we’re visible then.”

Customer relations manager Rachel Wood, 38, from Bournemouth, added: “It’s gone on for so long now, we’ve just got to all pull together and do whatever we can."

Polly Hunt, 49, said: “We’ve come down here today to see if we can help with the search and absolutely we’re hopeful of finding her. It’s brilliant that people have turned up, it’s one of the brilliant things about living in a small community. The more people the more chance of finding her.”

Retired Mike Greenleaves, 70, added: “This is the least we can do for Gaia’s sake and the family. If she’s around we want to find her as soon as possible. Everyone needs to do everything they can, look for any signs at all, and be optimistic.”

Earlier, Gaia's mother said she was "holding on to hope" after clothing belonging to her daughter was found on land near Swanage.

Police have said clothing discovered on Thursday on open land north of Swanage appeared to be Gaia's and matched what she was wearing when she was last seen.

Gaia vanished on the afternoon of November 7. On Friday night, volunteers were out with torches scouring acres of the Dorset countryside in an effort to find the 19-year-old.

So far, three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A 49-year-old man named locally as Paul Elsey was released under investigation on Friday afternoon.

A 71-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man were released under investigation on suspicion of murder on Tuesday following their arrest the previous day.

Searches around the Swanage are continued as police sealed off a field near Durlston Country Park. Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service supported police with the search.