A missing 11-year-old girl whose body was found in a river was last seen walking on a bridge close to her mother’s workplace.
When Ursula Keogh was reported missing on Monday, Jan. 22, police issued an urgent appeal to the public for assistance in locating the girl.
Hours later a body was discovered in Hebble Brook, an estuary of the River Calder on the outskirts of Halifax, West Yorkshire, in the north of the UK.
Police confirmed the identity of the deceased the following day.
Ursula was last seen on North Bridge, according to a police statement, close to the location where her mother, known novelist Nicky Harlow, co-hosts a radio show for local station Phoenix FM.
Police still haven’t confirmed how Ursula died.
West Yorkshire police said her body had been formally identified and they are now “working to establish the full circumstances and will prepare a file for the coroner.”
Police have also said they believe there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
Ursula’s mother authored the novel “Amelia and the Virgin,” and lectures in creative writing for the Open University.
In September 2017 she posted a picture of Ursula to Facebook on the young girl’s first day of high school (junior high in the US).
Police first announced Ursula’s body had been found at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday night.
“A formal identification will take place in the coming days and Ursula’s family have been informed of the discovery.”
Ursula’s school, Lightcliffe Academy, posted a condolence note on social media.
“Following the tragic death last night of our student Ursula Keogh, the academy is open today as we look to support students and the whole academy community with this heartbreaking loss.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Ursula’s family and friends and at this very difficult time.”
Others also took to social media to express their grief at Ursula’s passing.
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