Police have confirmed they are treating the death of six-year-old schoolgirl Alesha MacPhail as murder.

Alesha’s body was was found in woodland on the site of a former hotel on the Isle of Bute on Monday morning, just hours after she was reported missing by her grandmother at 6.25am.

Detectives investigating her death confirmed the nature of the inquiry late on Tuesday night after seeing the results of a post-mortem examination.

Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: “The  investigation into her death is now being treated as murder.

“Alesha’s family is utterly devastated and we are continuing 
to provide them with the support they require at this incredibly distressing time.

"Alesha had lots of friends who will no doubt find it very difficult to comprehend why they will never see their friend again.

"Like any other six year old, Alesha was looking forward to enjoying her holidays from primary school and was only a few days into a three week summer break visiting relatives on the island.

"For such a young girl to have her life taken away is incomprehensible.

"Again, I would like to reiterate that I am particularly interested in speaking to anyone who was involved in the search for Alesha. What did they see? Where did they search? Please let us know.

"You may think that the information you hold is insignificant, however, please contact us and let us be the judge of that.

"Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in the vicinity of Ardbeg Road, where she was staying on Sunday evening, into the early hours of Monday morning or where her body was found? Please get in touch.

“Any information, however small, may help this investigation. I would urge anyone with information to contact the police as soon as possible.

"It is imperative that we find who is responsible for Alesha's murder.”

The Herald:

Tributes have been paid to the little girl, who was a pupil at Chapelside 
Primary School in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire.

Headteacher Wendy Davie said: “Alesha started with us at Chapelside Primary in August 2016 and had just finished primary two.

“She loved being at school and enjoyed all aspects of literacy, in particular writing. She was such a perfectionist in her handwriting and was very proud of her work.

“Alesha was very friendly and she welcomed everyone first thing in the morning at breakfast club.

“She was a very considerate child who loved being part of a group and she was popular with all the other children, and was a smiley and happy young girl.

“She was part of the family of Chapelside Primary and she will be greatly missed by everyone at the school.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and Chapelside Primary community at this very sad time.”

Police have launched a major investigation into the death and extra officers including forensics specialists have been sent to the island to help with inquiries.

They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was involved in searching for Alesha on Monday morning.

The Herald:

Senior investigating officer detective superintendent Stuart Houston said: “Whilst we have had a very encouraging response from our appeal yesterday, I would continue to appeal to those who took part in the search for Alesha when she was reported missing. 

“Those individuals may have critical information which could assist with our enquiries.”

The death was said to have had an impact on all those living in the “tight-knit community”.

Councillor Len Scoullar said: “Everyone is very shocked, very sympathetic and concerned. 

“We will all be offering our very sincere condolences to the family.

“We are a very small island community, people are genuinely grieving for the family.”

The Herald:

High Road in Ardbeg, near Rothesay, was shut by a police cordon and a floral tribute had been laid near police accident signs.

A separate cordon was set up outside houses on Ardbeg Road and police tape set up at the seafront on the opposite side of the street.

Tributes continued to be left outside the house on Ardbeg Road.

Flowers, teddies and balloons have been left on the pavement with messages attached reading “sleep tight little angel” and “good night little angel”.

A Cinderella toy had a hand-written note which said: “Sleep tight little princess, you’ll never be forgotten.”

Part of the beach front and a shelter opposite the house also remain cordoned off with police tape, while cars are being diverted from the end of Ardbeg Road.

A forensic team arrived at the property on Ardbeg Road on Tuesday afternoon.

Four officers in white overalls entered the back garden of the house, while another took photographs of the property which is thought to be made up of three flats.

Earlier, locals continued to leave tributes at the scene, including two coastguard officers who laid flowers outside the property.

Sunflowers, teddy bears, messages and balloons were placed against the wall of the family home, with one message reading “Keep tight little angel”.

Former police officer and local Jim Cobban, 84, said: “It is an absolute tragedy and it was quite a shock. On the island, we all know one another and it’s just shocking. I know both the grandparents and it’s very sad that their grandchild has died.

“We are a close-knit community and if someone coughs on one side of the island the other end will hear it. That’s how close-knit it is.

“I’ve heard the doors weren’t locked at the home, but I would say there is something more to it.

The Herald:

The local town hall, Port Bannatyne Village Hall, held an open service yesterday morning to allow the community to reflect and pray.

United Church of Bute Reverend John Owain Jones said: “There is very little say. We are all trying to come to terms with it and hold the whole situation and everyone in it in our prayers”.

Anyone with information is asked to call police officers at the Major Investigations Teams via 101 quoting incident no 0695 of 2 July 2018.