The mother of a teenager found dead in Inverness after an agonising 11-day search has thanked the public for supporting her and her family.
Touching floral tributes yesterday marked the location of where Jade McGrath, from Strathspey, was found.
The 19-year-old went missing after leaving New Craigs psychiatric hospital in the Leachkin area of Inverness just under two weeks ago.
Her mum Samantha Taylor wrote in a Facebook message yesterday: “We are overwhelmed with the massive wave of love and support that we are experiencing just now from so so many people.
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“My heads pretty fried at the moment so I’m not too good at responding to all of the beautiful messages we are continuously pouring in, but We are reading all of them and every single message is helping us and we are so grateful to you all xxx.”
A massive search operation was launched following reports of her disappearance on November 28, but her body was only found hidden among bushes and trees in a grassy area on Sunday afternoon.
The discovery was made on an area of scrubland behind Lawers Way, near to the former social work Kinmylies Building, which was once a children’s home.
The location was also less than a mile from the hospital where she had left.
Police Scotland confirmed last night that the body found in the Lawers Way area was that of Jade.
A spokesman said: “There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.”
Inspector James Rice added: “Our thoughts are with Jade’s family and friends at this sad time.
“We remain very grateful to the local community for their support during this enquiry.”
Strathspey and Badenoch councillor Bill Lobban said: “I can’t imagine what the family are going through at this time.
“To have a young girl with her life ahead of her and have it cut short is horrendous.
“The whole community is behind the family at this sad, tragic time.”
Police stepped up their appeal for information at the weekend.
Officers believe that, from New Craigs, she had taken the Great Glen Way path from Leachkin Road along Golf View to General Booth Road on the Wednesday she was last seen.
Police deployed a helicopter and search dogs to the scene and officer stopped drivers and passers-by in the Leachkin area to seek clues to Jade’s movements.