Gaia Pope: Hundreds join mass search for missing teenager 11 days on from disappearance

A huge search is underway for missing teenager Gaia Pope 11 days into her disappearance.

Hundreds of volunteers have scoured three areas of Swanage, in Dorset, more than a week after the 19-year-old was reported missing on November 7.

Some 50 emergency services personnel from police, fire and the coastguard combed rural land on the south coast close to where clothes belonging to the teenager were found on Thursday.

The hunt came just hours after police released a third murder suspect under investigation on Friday.

The suspect, believed to Paul Elsey, 49, who is known to Gaia, lives at the same address as a 71-year-old woman and 19-year-old man also arrested on suspicion of murder.

The pair were later released under investigation.

Gaia’s family today said they are still holding out hope that she will be found alive.

In a speech to volunteers, her father Richard Sutherland said: "I just want to say a massive thank you for coming out. It is very heart warming and the support gives us a lot of hope."

On Friday, Miss Pope's mother, Natasha, said she has not given up hope her daughter will be found alive - saying "I believe miracles can happen".

In a message posted on social media she said: "I believe in this community and I believe miracles can happen.

"I am holding onto hope, along with Gaia's sisters and the whole family who are my strength. Please hold on with us.

"My eternal thanks to everyone who is out there searching for my little girl. Please come out over the weekend and do what you can. Every one of you makes a difference."

The mass searches had been organised by the Find Gaia group on Facebook and saw volunteers gather at the country park, near the main beach and to the north of the town looking for Miss Pope, who suffers from severe epilepsy.

Since she disappeared hundreds of missing person posters have been distributed across the county.

Pc Simon Colvin, neighbourhood officer for Swanage, told the volunteers: "The community has done an amazing job of coming together to help.

"Some of you are local and some of you have travelled a long way. I understand someone has travelled over 300 miles to come and help today.

"People's help really is appreciated."

But he warned volunteers to watch out for hidden disused mineshafts and to stay away from the cliffs.

Earlier, Mr Sutherland said he feared his daughter's epilepsy may have played a part in her disappearance as she had been warned by doctors that she was at risk of sudden death from the condition.

Miss Pope has not been seen since about 4pm on November 7 in Manor Gardens, Swanage.

An hour earlier she was captured on CCTV buying an ice cream inside St Michael's Garage in the town, having been driven there by a relative.

She was wearing a red checked shirt with white buttons, grey and white woven leggings and white trainers. The black jacket she had on was recovered from an address in Manor Gardens.

Forensic investigations have concluded at two properties in Manor Gardens, which are believed to be the homes of a 71-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man.

The pair were released under investigation on Tuesday after being arrested on suspicion of murder the previous day.