Body found in hunt for missing 13-year-old who disappeared after going for evening walk
Sophie Clark's family have been informed but formal identification is yet to take place
A BODY has been found today in the search for a missing 13-year-old girl, who disappeared after she went on an evening walk last night and did not return.
Sophie Clark, from Sherborne in Dorset, was said to have been upset when she left home on Tuesday evening.
She told her parents she would be back to her home in Acreman Place by 8pm, after leaving at 6.30pm, but did not come back.
Detectives confirmed today a body they believe to be hers has been found in woodland - they said the incident was not being treated as suspicious and no one else was being sought in connection with the death.
Sophie's parents have been told of the tragic development in the search for her.
It is thought that the young girl was found hanged in the woods near her home, although there has been no confirmation of the cause of her death.
When she did not return home last night, her worried parents tried to phone and text her, and as the evening wore on and they were unable to get hold of Sophie they called the police.
An overnight search operation with a police helicopter and sniffer dogs was launched.
A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "Sadly the body of a teenage girl, believed to be that of Sophie, has been discovered in woods off Dancing Hill in Sherborne this morning.
"Formal identification has not yet taken place but Sophie's family have been informed of this tragic update and are being supported by officers," said the spokesman.
"The death is not being treated as suspicious and the coroner has been informed. Inquiries are underway to establish the circumstances leading to her death on behalf of the coroner."
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Chief Inspector Bob Acaster, of Dorset Police, said in an earlier appeal to help find the schoolgirl: "We know Sophie may have been upset or worried when she left home. This is completely out of character and we are very concerned and need to find her.
"If Sophie sees this appeal, please call us straight away. You are not in any trouble.
"We are all worried about you and just want to know you are safe."
Sophie was described as white, about 5ft8ins tall and of medium build. She was last seen wearing black jeans, a red thigh-length coat and black Doc Martins with purple laces.
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