Murdered girl, 15, had 'zest for life'

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Louise Thomas

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THE mother of the murdered schoolgirl Helen Gorrie, 15, broke down yesterday as she described her dead daughter as a 'lovable girl with a zest for life'.

Sheila Gorrie, 40, who is divorced, was unable to finish reading a prepared statement at a news conference. Her son Jamie, 20, a labourer, completed the statement for her.

Helen's body was found on Saturday night by guests at a wedding reception at a hall in Horndean, near Havant, Hampshire, minutes from her home. She had been throttled and left on a footpath.

Mr Gorrie appealed for help in tracking down Helen's killer. 'I am aware the police are trying to find out where Helen went after she left our home last Friday evening. I appeal to anyone who may have any information which may help to contact the police.'

Ms Gorrie said she last saw her daughter on Friday night preparing for bed. She did not know her daughter was planning to go out.

She said Helen sometimes went to a friend's house to watch videos, but was normally home by about 1am.

Ms Gorrie said she looked in on Helen's room on Saturday morning before going to work and she appeared to be in bed. 'When I came home Saturday night Jamie said Helen was still not back. When I got up Sunday morning she still wasn't in . . . Then one of the lads said that there had been a girl found murdered.'

Police, led by Det Supt Douglas Quade, believe there is no link between the murder and the wedding. Helen's father, Robert Trussler, who lives in Basingstoke, was informed about his daughter's death yesterday.