Body found in woods confirmed as that of missing Jessica

A huge search was mounted after the 14-year-old was reported missing on Saturday, with specially-trained officers drafted in and helicopters scouring the area.

However just after 4pm on Sunday, a body was found in a wooded area off Chester Avenue in Beverley, close to where she was last seen.

A candle-lit vigil was held for Jessica, from Nolloth Crescent, in the town, at Beverley Minster, while many others posted condolences on the social networking site 
Facebook.

A police spokeswoman said: “Humberside Police are confirming that the body found yesterday in a wooded area near Chester Avenue is that of missing schoolgirl Jessica Blake. Jessica’s death is not being treated as suspicious.”

The spokeswoman expressed the force’s condolences, adding: “Her family are trying to come to terms with Jessica’s death and have asked for privacy.”

Beverley Minster opened its doors for people to remember Jessica on Sunday night.

Among those to attend was Jacky Hoggard, whose daughter was in the Beverley Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade, which Jessica and her sister used to attend.

She said: “Everybody just sat in silence, you could have heard a pin drop. Everybody lit a candle and prayed for Jess and her family. It was very sad.”

Close to where her body was found, tributes were left, including one tied to a bunch of pink carnations from Diane, Simon and Kelsey which read: “Little sweetheart, hope you have finally found the peace you so much yearned for.”