22/08/2005

Boy’s body found in woodland

An forensic investigation is continuing at the scene where the body of a boy was found on Sunday, during a search for missing eleven-year-old Rory Blackhall.

Rory, who is from Adambrae in Livingston, West Lothian, disappeared last Thursday, after his mother Michelle, dropped him off at Meldrum Primary School in Livingston around 8:30am.

Rory’s teachers said that he did not attend any lessons that day and there have been no confirmed sightings of him since Thursday.

It was initially thought that Rory might have run away. During an appeal for him to return home, his mother said that Rory had suffered several traumatic incidents during the year, including the break-up of his parents. Mrs Blackhall also said that Rory was unhappy at the prospect of returning to school.

The body was found in woods in Dechmont Law in Livingston, around 13:00BST on Sunday, during a search involving 200 police officers and 200 volunteers.

Police have not confirmed if the body found is that of Rory Blackhall. The death is being treated as suspicious and forensic tests are being carried out in the area where the body was discovered.

A post-mortem was due to be held on Monday.

(KMcA/SP)

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