Teenager gun deaths investigated

Detective Inspector Stewart Mackie speaks to the media in Tomintoul
12 April 2012

Two teenagers have been found shot dead at a cottage in the Scottish Highlands.

Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths of Sophie Taylor, 16, and an 18-year-old, named locally as trainee gamekeeper Callum Murray.

Sophie's devastated family have said they are "completely shocked to have lost her so prematurely".

In a statement released by Grampian Police, her parents David, 41, and Katie, 44, and brother David, 18, said: "We are devastated at the loss of our beautiful daughter Sophie, who will be greatly missed by us, her brother and her grandparents as well as her many friends.

"Sophie was bright and bubbly and loved spending time with her family and friends. We are immensely proud of her.

"We are a close family who will miss her very much and are completely shocked to have lost her so prematurely."

Thirty detectives are attempting to piece together events which led to the deaths of the teenagers, who were found on the Glenavon game hunting and fishing estate near Tomintoul in Moray.

Sophie was a pupil at Speyside High School and wanted to become a social worker.

Her deputy head mistress Ella Grant said the school had been left "deeply shocked and saddened" by her death.

Fingertip searches are being carried out at the three-bedroom property in the Blairnamarrow area as police continue to probe the incident.

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