A six-year-old girl was yesterday found dead on an island after vanishing from her grandparents’ home.
Alesha MacPhail was reported missing from her grandparents’ flat in Rothesay, Bute, at 6.25am and was later found dead in woodland on the site of a former hotel.
Formal identification has yet to take place but the body is believed to be that of Alesha.
Police are treating the death as unexplained and have launched a major investigation.The youngster was staying with her paternal grandparents, Angela King and Calum MacPhail, and her father Robert MacPhail, 25, when she was reported missing.
Ms King raised the alarm after posting a public appeal for help on social media.
Many local people helped search for the child and police urged anyone who took part in the search to speak to officers.
Speaking outside Dumbarton police station yesterday evening, Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston, from Police Scotland’s major investigation teams, said: “A number of people through social media were alerted to this missing child and came to assist in the area.
“I would really like those that have not spoken to the police to come forward so we can establish who was in the area. They may have critical information of what has taken place.”
Police, who said no-one is in custody in connection with the death, could not comment on how the child died or what happened to her, and said a post-mortem examination would be carried out.
Extra officers, including forensics specialists, have been sent to the island to help with the investigation.
Reports suggest Alesha’s mother, Genie Lochrane, who lives in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, has been taken to Bute by police.
Other relatives of the child also reportedly spoke of their devastation yesterday, with family members saying the death was “unbearable”, the Daily Record reported.
Mr Houston added: “This death of a six-year-old child has shocked the tight-knit community of Rothesay and it is imperative we find out what has happened.
“This investigation is at its very early stages, but I am appealing for information in order to piece together Alesha’s last-known movements.
“I must reiterate that this death is still being treated as unexplained at this time, but I would like to reassure the public this type of incident is rare.
“I understand there are real concerns in the community. However, please be assured a team of detectives are working on this investigation to ascertain the circumstances leading up to death of this young child. Specially-trained officers are supporting the family during this incredibly difficult time.”
High Road in Ardbeg, near Rothesay, was shut by a police cordon and a floral tribute had been laid near police accident signs.
A police car blocked the road and several other police vehicles could be seen in the area.
A separate cordon has been set up outside numbers 50-53 Ardbeg Road and police tape has also been set up at the seafront on the opposite side of the street.
June McKenzie, who lives near Alesha’s grandmother in Ardbeg Road, was one of those searching for the youngster.
She said: “I can’t believe it. Her poor parents and gran. It’s just appalling, somebody that young.
“The island’s just down and will be for some time. Everybody just sticks together.”
Anyone with information is asked to call officers at the Major Investigations Teams via 101 quoting incident no 0695 of 2 July 2018.
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