Body of missing teen girl found

POLICE yesterday found the body of missing teenager Alicia Eborne in woodland at an isolated spot on the edge of Dartmoor.

The discovery came as police continued to question a 39-year-old Plymouth man in connection with the college student’s murder.

Alicia, 18, was last seen leaving her home in the small village of Corntown, Devon, at 8.45am nine days ago. She was due to walk half a mile to catch a bus to Plymouth.

A police search team yesterday found the teenager’s body partially concealed in thick woods up a steep bank close to the River Tavy, near Buckland Monachorum, Dartmoor.

The secluded valley spot, close to a public road popular with walkers, is around 15 miles from the teenager’s home. Police could not say whether Alicia was killed at the scene.

The 39-year-old man, who works as a bus driver, was arrested on suspicion of abducting Alicia on Thursday night. He was re-arrested on suspicion of murder last night. Police have until 10.30pm tonight to press charges or release him.

Police have not confirmed whether Alicia got on a bus on the day she disappeared. She did not turn up for her social care course at Plymouth College of Further Education, and was later absent from her part-time job at a local patisserie.

Alicia’s Jehovah’s Witness parents Anthony and Joan Eborne were yesterday informed of the find.

The couple had earlier made an emotional appeal for the teenager’s safe return.