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08/07/2005
Missing girl – body found in wood
Police have launched a murder investigation after the body of a missing girl was discovered in Leigh, Greater Manchester.
The body is believed to be that of ten-year-old Lauren Pilkington-Smith, from Twist Lane in Leigh, who was reported missing on Thursday night.
Lauren was believed to have spent the evening playing with friends in the Leigh area, but her family became concerned when she failed to return home around 8pm.
Lauren’s grandfather found the body in a wooded area close to Sanderson Street in Leigh around 2:30am on Friday morning, following a search involving police officers, Lauren’s family and members of the public.
A post-mortem examination is due to take place.
Detective Superintendent Andy Tattersall, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our investigation is at a very early stage and we don’t yet know exactly how Lauren died, but we have cordoned off the spot where her body was found and officers are currently at the scene working to recover any forensic evidence from the area.
“Lauren’s death is a tragic incident and our thoughts and sympathies are with her friends and family.”
Lauren’s mother Alison Pilkington-Smith and father Glen Smith described Lauren as “a beautiful, lively little girl” and said they were “devastated” by what happened.
A statement released by the family said: “Our world has collapsed in the last 24 hours and we can’t even begin to think what we will do without her.
Lauren was a tomboy who loved playing with her friends. Everyone around here loved her. She was football-mad and a huge Manchester United fan. She loved playing golf and riding her BMX.”
Lauren has a brother Sam, 4, and two sisters, 15-year-old Rebecca and Ciara, who is two-and-a-half.
Police are eager to hear from anyone who may have seen Lauren prior to her body being discovered. Anyone with any information is urged to contact police on: 0161 856 7351 or Crimestoppers on: 0800 555 1111.
(KMcA/MB)
The body is believed to be that of ten-year-old Lauren Pilkington-Smith, from Twist Lane in Leigh, who was reported missing on Thursday night.
Lauren was believed to have spent the evening playing with friends in the Leigh area, but her family became concerned when she failed to return home around 8pm.
Lauren’s grandfather found the body in a wooded area close to Sanderson Street in Leigh around 2:30am on Friday morning, following a search involving police officers, Lauren’s family and members of the public.
A post-mortem examination is due to take place.
Detective Superintendent Andy Tattersall, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our investigation is at a very early stage and we don’t yet know exactly how Lauren died, but we have cordoned off the spot where her body was found and officers are currently at the scene working to recover any forensic evidence from the area.
“Lauren’s death is a tragic incident and our thoughts and sympathies are with her friends and family.”
Lauren’s mother Alison Pilkington-Smith and father Glen Smith described Lauren as “a beautiful, lively little girl” and said they were “devastated” by what happened.
A statement released by the family said: “Our world has collapsed in the last 24 hours and we can’t even begin to think what we will do without her.
Lauren was a tomboy who loved playing with her friends. Everyone around here loved her. She was football-mad and a huge Manchester United fan. She loved playing golf and riding her BMX.”
Lauren has a brother Sam, 4, and two sisters, 15-year-old Rebecca and Ciara, who is two-and-a-half.
Police are eager to hear from anyone who may have seen Lauren prior to her body being discovered. Anyone with any information is urged to contact police on: 0161 856 7351 or Crimestoppers on: 0800 555 1111.
(KMcA/MB)
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