Family left 'devastated' by murder of teenager Paige Doherty

Updated

The mother of murdered teenager Paige Doherty said she is "absolutely devastated" as she appealed for information that could help track her daughter's killer.

The body of the 15-year-old was found in bushes at the side of a main road in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, two days after she was reported missing.

The popular schoolgirl had been due to catch a bus to her part-time hairdressing job on Saturday morning but never arrived at the salon.

Her mother Pamela Munro said in a statement released through police: "We are absolutely devastated that we have lost our beautiful little girl and would appeal for anyone with information to come forward and bring justice for Paige."

Police Scotland said the response from appeals so far had been encouraging but repeated their call for any small details that could help the investigation.

Detective Superintendent Duncan Sloan said: "I must reiterate that a team of detectives are working around the clock to try to identify who was responsible for the death of this young girl, however we need as much information from the local community as we can in order to achieve this.

"If you have any piece of information, no matter how small, please contact the incident room and let us know."

Paige was last seen at about 8.20am on Saturday when she stopped at a shop selling rolls on the town's Fleming Avenue, having spent the night at a friend's home nearby.

She was expected to catch the bus from East Barns Street to Glasgow city centre before travelling on to Street Image hairdressers in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire.

The teenager's body was found at about 12.45pm on Monday at the side of Great Western Road, a busy route connecting Clydebank and Glasgow.

Mr Sloan said: "I need people to come forward with any information they have - however insignificant it may seem to them.

"Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in the area of Fleming Avenue on Saturday morning, and, crucially, did you see anyone in the vicinity of Great Western Road near to a wooded area on the A82 on Monday?

"This is a very busy route for cars and is popular with joggers and dog walkers."

Two fundraising pages to help Paige's family meet funeral costs and other expenses have collected more than £14,000 a day after they were set up.

Family friend Lynsay Smith said: "All the money raised is to help Pamela, her mum, and Andrew, her stepdad, with any funeral arrangements and anything else to ease the pain that they are going through at this time."

Gail Duncan, collecting on behalf of the freestyle disco dancing community, said: "This money will be donated along with money being raised at competitions and will be passed over to (dance school instructor) Isobel through bank transfer. This will then be taken to Paige's mum Pamela."

A dedicated mobile line has been provided by Police Scotland which people can text with any information. The number is 07557 540848.

People can also call the incident room on 0141 532 5415 or 0141 532 5443 or email OperationTalverton@scotland.pnn.police.uk.

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