Police confirm body found in hunt for Bobbi-Anne McLeod, 18, is missing teenager after indie rock band guitarist, 24, appeared in court charged with her murder
- Police confirm body found in hunt for Bobbi-Anne McLeod is the teenager
- The 18-year-old last seen waiting at a bus stop near Plymouth home last week
- Her body was found eight miles away in Bovisand, Devon a few days later
- Musician Cody Ackland, 24, not known to the teenager, charged with murder
A body found close to where Bobbi-Anne McLeod disappeared last week is the teenager, police have confirmed.
The 18-year-old was last seen waiting at a bus stop near her home in Plymouth on November 20 as she made her way into town. Her body was tragically found eight miles away in Bovisand, Devon a few days later.
In a statement today, Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that they had found Bobbi-Anne’s body on November 23 following formal identification. A spokesman said that her family have been informed and have asked for privacy.
Indie rock musician Cody Ackland, 24, has been charged with murder. He appeared at Truro Crown Court yesterday and was remanded into custody ahead of a hearing in January.
Hundreds of people gathered by the spot Bobbi-Anne was last seen to hold an emotional candlelit vigil in her memory.
A bank of flowers dotted with candles has been laid by local residents over the past few days, while her heartbroken mother Donna McLeod told the crowd: ‘Thank you for doing everything to try and find her and bring our baby home.’
Missing Bobbi-Anne’s body was discovered on Tuesday afternoon close to a Plymouth beach
Cody James Ackland, 24, who lives in central Plymouth with his mother and plays in popular local band Rakuda, is accused of abducting the 18-year-old as she waited at a bus stop
A member of the public leaves flowers near the bus stop where Bobbi-Anne was last seen alive
The 18-year-old was last seen waiting at a bus stop near her home in Plymouth on November 20 as she made her way into town. Her body was found eight miles away in Bovisand, Devon
A Devon and Cornwall Police statement said: ‘Formal identification has now ben completed and it has been confirmed that the body located in Bovisand on November 23 is that of 18-year-old Bobbi-Anne McLeod.
‘Her family have been informed of this update. They have asked for their privacy to be respected at this time.’
During the short hearing at Truro Crown Court yesterday, Ackland, dressed in a prison-issue yellow and green jumpsuit, spoke only to confirm his name. No application was made for bail and Ackland, of Plymouth, was remanded to appear next at Plymouth Crown Court for a pre trial hearing on January 24.
Judge Robert Linford also issued a warning to people to avoid speculation in the case. He said: ‘It is deeply hurtful to the family and others connected to this case.
Bobbi-Anne was found dead on Tuesday close to the coastal path and car park above Bovisand beach
Ackland appeared at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court covered in a blanket, as he was guided by police officers
‘I ask please that people allow justice to take its course and refrain from posting or publishing material about the case which is not based upon evidence to be revealed in court.
‘To do otherwise may impede or obstruct the course of justice and may cause hurt to the family.
‘A similar plea made by the police has been substantially ignored and it should not have been.’
Bobbi-Anne lived in a three-bedroom terrace house on a 1970s housing estate in the Leigham area of Plymouth, which is made up of a mix of council and private homes.
She attended Leigham Primary School and then Tor Bridge High School and was not believed to be working at the time of her death.
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