Mum of girl, 6, 'found dead with dad in murder-suicide says it's the worst time of her life'

A mum left heartbroken when her six-year-old daughter was found dead feels like her 'world has ended', a friend has told. Hope Gordon was described as a 'happy and smiley' girl.

She was found dead alongside her dad Mark Gordon in what police suspect was a murder-suicide. Family friend Melanie Wheeldon said Hope's mother now faces 'the worst time of her life' as she comes to terms with her daughter's death.

Concerns were raised when Hope did not go to school, which lead police to attend a property in West Calder, West Lothian, on Monday, January 20.

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Officers found the girl and her dad dead, Mirror reports. Melanie said: "It is the worst time of her life. She's just really sad. Her world has ended because of this... She (Hope) was so loved and didn't deserve any of this.

"She was really well liked by everybody. She was out playing and building snowmen just two weeks ago, just a normal little kid, who didn't deserve this."

Hope had gone to stay with her 36-year-old father for the weekend. It is understood that he shared custody of Hope with her mum.

There had been no suggestion that there was any cause for concern. Melanie told Mail Online : "There was no indication that anything was wrong. It came completely out of the blue. We are all just really shocked."

Friends say Hope loved animals and had a pet cat called Roblox, as well as a dog Milo, at the house she shared with her mum. Her mother is said to have had a 'beautiful relationship' with her daughter.

Reflecting on the loss, Melanie said: "Hope's life was tragically cut short, leaving a void in the hearts of her family and friends that can never be filled." A GoFundMe page has since been launched to help with funeral expenses.

Detective Superintendent Grant Hendry, of Police Scotland's major investigation team, said: "Our thoughts remain with Hope’s family and friends, along with everyone affected by this tragedy. The families are understandably devastated and we are providing them with support through specialist officers at this extremely difficult time.

"Our team of officers continue to carry out enquiries to get answers for the families and at this time, we have no information to suggest anyone else is involved. I would ask that anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you think it is, gets in touch with the police."