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Body found last week confirmed to be 18-year-old Bobbi-Anne

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

A body found last week (23 November) has been confirmed to be that of Bobbi-Anne McLeod. The 18-year-old was reported missing on Saturday (20 November) after she failed to show up for a meeting with friends. She had left her home in Leigham at around 6pm and was planning to get the bus into Plymouth city centre, but never arrived.

Following a city-wide investigation, the body was found near Bovisand, located around six miles away from Plymouth. Police had been trawling the area based on information they'd received during their investigation, which involved searches and inquiries. In a statement released on Twitter today, Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Formal identification has now been completed and it has been confirmed that the body located in Bovisand on November 23 is that of 18-year-old Bobbi-Anne McLeod."

They continued, "Her family have been informed of this update and have asked for their privacy to be respected at this time."

Since the body was found, a 24-year-old man was charged with the murder of the 18-year-old. Cody Ackland, from Southway in Plymouth, has been remanded in custody and is next due to appear at Plymouth Crown court on 24 January.

In another statement, the police said: "Whilst of course we understand the public interest in these updates, we remind the public that this is a live and active case and we ask members of the public not to speculate on social media."

Last week, hundreds of locals gathered for a candlelit vigil at the spot where McLeod was last seen alive. The BBC reports that McLeod's mother, Donna McLeod, was "very distressed" during the vigil but thanked the crowd for their support.

"Thank you for doing everything to try and find her and bring our baby home," she said.

Photo credit: Devon and Cornwall Police
Photo credit: Devon and Cornwall Police

At a press conference last Tuesday evening, Chief Superintendent Matt Longman said: "This is weighing heavy on the people of Plymouth tonight, it really is. And I would just like to send my thoughts to the friends and family of Bobbi-Anne; that actually feels like it's a relatively inadequate thing to say at such a time."

He continued, "We are continuing to do everything we can to understand exactly what's happened around this event."

After the news broke that a body had been found during the search, McLeod's brother took to socials to pay an emotional tribute to his sister. "Until we meet again sis. I love you. You didn’t deserve this, such a beautiful and talented girl and to have you as my little sister, the adventure and journey we had been on will always be treasured. Now go rest easy," Lee McLeod wrote, alongside a childhood photo of the pair.

A Facebook page set up by McLeod's brother earlier in the week to help find her quickly gained the support of over 10,000 people. "Police have rung and someone has handed in Bobbi’s mobile," he wrote on the page, "I’m begging every single person in Plymouth help me search everywhere, search everything."

Elsewhere on social media, Plymouth City Councillor Nick Kelly said: "I am sure that the shock of this tragedy will not just be felt in Leigham but across the whole of our city. I know everyone will stand with me when I say that all our thoughts are with her family and friends at this devastating time."

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