Gaia Pope: Missing teenager murder suspects released

A woman and a man arrested on suspicion of murdering missing teenager Gaia Pope have been released by police while inquiries continue.

Gaia, 19, from Langton Matravers, Dorset, disappeared from nearby Swanage, where she had been staying, on 7 November.

Rosemary Dinch, 71, and her 19-year-old grandson, Nathan Elsey, both from Swanage, know Gaia.

Police made the arrests after searching two Swanage addresses on Monday.

Dorset Police said "extensive searches" would continue in the hope she was still alive.

Police said a search for Gaia with the coastguard, volunteers from Dorset Search and Rescue and Wessex 4x4, along with members of the local community, was carried out on Tuesday in the Swanage area.

Gaia Pope was last seen in Swanage, Dorset, on 7 November

Det Supt Paul Kessler said: "We still believe Gaia is somewhere in the Swanage area... I remain hopeful that we will find Gaia alive.

"If the public can help us - anyone who has had contact with her in the last seven days, please contact Dorset Police as you may have information that can help us locate her.

"However, we will continue to conduct every avenue of inquiry which is open."

Gaia was last seen by Ms Dinch, a family friend, at an address in Manor Gardens, Morrison Road, Swanage at about 16:00 GMT.

Before she was arrested she told BBC News Gaia had "pounded" on her door then spent 20 minutes with her.

"She was very upset, she slid to the floor at one point, I gave her a cuddle and she responded to me - I have no idea where she is - she just seems to have disappeared," she said.

A statement released by police on behalf of Gaia's family said the continuing search had given them "great comfort in what everyone will understand is a deeply worrying and scary experience for all who love Gaia so deeply".

The family also appealed to social media users to focus on "constructive and positive efforts to find Gaia and not to encourage uninformed speculation which can have a negative impact on the family and be a distraction".

In a direct message to Gaia, the statement read: "We all love you forever. We miss you beyond words. We will find you darling girl.

"The thought of seeing the sunshine of your smile again soon keeps us all going and hoping."

Gaia was said to be wearing a red checked shirt with white buttons, grey and white woven leggings and white trainers.

She has severe epilepsy and she went missing without her medication.

On Saturday, Dorset Police released CCTV footage of what they believe was Gaia running past a house in Morrison Road at about 15:40.

The force said Gaia's family were being supported by specially-trained officers.