Police launch murder investigation as body found in Clydebank confirmed as missing Paige Doherty

Friends and family of 15-year-old Paige Doherty, from the West Dunbartonshire town, launched an appeal after she failed to arrive at her part-time job on Saturday morning.

The body of a female was discovered in a wooded area behind a path off Great Western Road at around 12.45pm on Monday.

Detectives confirmed the body was that of the teenager and said a murder investigation was under way.

She was last seen at around 8.15am when she left a friend’s house and it isthought she was making her way to a bus stop to travel to the hairdressers whereshe worked in Kirkintilloch, around 12 miles away.

But the alarm was raised later when she did not show up.

Missing posters were put up around the town and a dedicated Facebook page was set up to help find her.

Police said they were trying to piece together her movements between Saturday morning and the discovery of the body.

Speaking from the scene on Tuesday, Detective Superintendent Duncan Sloan said: “The body of a 15-year-old girl who was found here yesterday, I can now confirm was positively identified as Paige Doherty who was reported missing from Clydebank on Saturday evening.

“I want to announce that this is being treated as a murder investigation.”

The schoolgirl, who was 4ft 8ins and slim, with long dark hair, was wearing a dark jacket, jeans and white Nike trainers when she went missing.

Mr Sloan, of Police Scotland’s major investigations unit, did not reveal thenature of the teenager’s injuries but said a post mortem examination will takeplace on Tuesday afternoon.

The detective said he is “open to all motives” for the assault.

He described Paige as a “warm” girl with a future planned ahead of her.

“My condolences go out to the family and friends of Paige. Clearly this is an extremely harrowing time for the family and friends, and I really just want tosay my heart goes out to them,” he added.

“We will do all in our power to investigate this and bring some answers as to the circumstances leading to the death of Paige Doherty.”

Forensic officers continue to work at the site where her body was found.

A large area is cordoned off and a police tent remains in place.

Mr Sloan said: “I am appealing to members of the public – we need to piece together the movements of Paige from 8.20am on Saturday when she went missing until we find the body at around 1pm on Monday.

“Anybody who knows Paige, please come forward with any information around her lifestyle or any reason why you think somebody would have attacked Paige.”

Posting on Facebook, the teenager’s mother Pamela Munro wrote: “We are absolutely devastated, as will many people who know her will be xxx.”