Inquiry into police handling of Gaia Pope investigation
The police investigation into the disappearance of teenager Gaia Pope is the subject of an inquiry by an independent watchdog.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is to investigate DorsetPolice's response to the 19-year-old being reported missing by her family on7 November last year.
Police launched a major inquiry and her disappearance prompted a massivecampaign from family and friends to find the teenager, who lived near Swanage.
The body of Miss Pope, who suffered from severe epilepsy, was found on 18 November by police search teams in undergrowth between Dancing Ledge and Anvil Point, close to the Swanage coastal path - 11 days after she had last been seen alive.
During the police investigation three people, two men aged 19 and 49 and a71-year-old woman, were arrested. They were released without any further action being taken.
In February an opening inquest heard Miss Pope died from hypothermia. Dorset Coroner Rachael Griffin ordered statements from various organisations, including Dorset social services, Dorset Police, the local hospital trust and her GP.
The IOPC said its investigation began after a referral was received from Dorset Police in February following an internal review.
IOPC director Catrin Evans said: "My sympathies are with Gaia's family andfriends and everyone affected by her sad death.
"We are examining the actions and decisions of Dorset Police when dealing with the missing person report made in respect of a vulnerable young woman.
"We will also consider whether the force appropriately risk assessed,resourced and reviewed the missing person report.
"Our investigation will be thorough and we will keep Gaia's family, thecoroner and the force informed of our progress."
Miss Pope's family said they have lots of questions about her death thatremained unanswered.
The teenager's mother Natasha Pope said: "My daughter should still be with us today. She was a survivor.
"Our family has been torn apart. As a mother my heart will always be broken. As a woman, I'm determined to do all we can to make sure this never happens again. I will always be proud of Gaia's courage but what she went through should not have cost my daughter her life."