Police hunting for missing girl, 16, find body in woodland near home

Police searching for a 16-year-old schoolgirl found a body yesterday.

A land, air and sea search ended after the body of a teenager was found in woodland near the home of Moyra Liz As-Chainey, who was reported missing on Wednesday.

Chief Inspector Matthew Reiss, who was leading the inquiry, said: “I can confirm a body has been found, but no formal idenitification has yet been made.

“It is too early to determine the cause of death, or if there are any suspicious circumstances, but our inquiries are continuing.

“However, the search for Moyra, which was scheduled for tomorrow, has now been called off. Her parents have been infomed.”

It is understood the teenager’s parents, Sheen and Freek, both 41, told police that her daughter had been feeling unwell on Wednesday morning and that she was still in bed when they left.

When they returned later, she was not at the family home in Edderton, Easter Ross.

Initially, they believed she had gone to school, but they reported her missing when she had not returned home by 8pm that evening.

Moyra, a fifth-year pupil at Tain Royal Academy, was due to begin exams next week.

Her parents had said the teenager’s disappearance was out of character.

More than 60 people were involved in the search for Moyra. Donnie MacLeod, the rector at Tain Royal Academy, said that pupils and staff had assisted the police with their investigations.