A six-year-old girl and her father were found dead in a suspected murder-suicide in West Calder. Little Hope Gordon was found dead alongside her dad, Mark, 36, at their family home in the town’s Harburn Road earlier this week.
Emergency services, including police and firefighters, raced to the incident after receiving reports of concern for a person at 4pm on Monday. Hope and Mark were found dead within. Police Scotland confirmed a major investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Detectives have been drafted from the force’s Major Investigations Team to probe the tragedy. Here is everything we know so far.
Who raised the alarm?
The alarm was raised after Hope failed to turn up to class at Toronto Primary School in Livingston on Monday morning. Firefighters were called to break down the door of the property before Hope and her father were discovered dead within.
One neighbour told the Record how they witnessed fire crews desperately attempt to gain access via the back door before the area was swarmed with police.
They said: “I saw firefighters trying to get in through the back door yesterday about 4pm. I didn’t want to be nosey so I turned and went into another room. Within the next 30 minutes, police were everywhere. It was a worrying sight, we knew straight away something really awful had happened.
“The wee girl was a lovely wee thing, she was very young. I didn’t know them personally but we’d see them in passing. You’d never expect this to happen a stone-throw away from your front door.”
What have the police said so far?
Officers are currently treating both deaths as “unexplained” with post-mortems due to be carried out in due course. At a media briefing held by police at Livingston Station yesterday, officers confirmed Mark and Hope were known to a number of support services.
Officers said Mark and Hope’s families have been left devastated by their deaths. Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy remain ongoing, however, detectives said there is nothing to suggest anyone else has been involved.
Detective Chief Inspector Bob Williamson, of the Major Investigation Team said: “Our thoughts remain with their relatives at this extremely difficult time and they continue to be supported by specialist officers. They are understandably devastated and it is vital we get answers for them.
“At this time, we have no information to suggest anyone else is involved and our enquiries are continuing. I would ask that anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you think it is, gets in touch with officers.”
Chief Inspector Elaine McArthur-Kerr, local area commander, added: “We understand the significant impact this will have on the local community and I would like to thank everyone for their help so far. This incident is very upsetting and worrying for the people living in this community and would ask anyone with any concerns to speak to us. A police presence will remain in the area while we carry out investigations and anyone with any concerns, or information, can approach these officers.”
What have the school and council said?
Hope’s headteacher Fiona Linfood at Toronto Primary School in Livingston paid tribute to the schoolgirl, who was a primary two pupil. She said the child was a “much-loved member” of the school, who will be “hugely missed” by her friends and staff.
She said: “Hope was a much-loved member of the Toronto Primary family, and will be hugely missed by all her friends and school staff. She was a bright, bubbly and affectionate girl who brought joy to everyone she met. We will really miss her infectious smile and kind heart.
“We would ask everyone to respect the privacy of her family and the school community at this difficult time. Help and support is available to any of our pupils, or staff, affected by this tragic news.”
Leader of West Lothian Council Lawrence Fitzpatrick added: “Understandably the local community will be in shock and this shock extends across West Lothian. Our deepest sympathies are with the family of those affected by this tragic incident.
“Our education officers and school staff are offering the local school community the appropriate support and reassurance at this very difficult time.”
A spokesperson for West Lothian Council’s Health and Social Care Partnership said: “We would offer our deepest condolences to the family. We cannot discuss any individual or individual family circumstance. It would also not be appropriate to comment further whilst an active police investigation is underway.”
What did neighbours say?
Neighbours said Mark, originally from Oban, only recently moved to the area.
One man said: “They had moved in quite recently. The house was dark and the curtains were closed most of the time. I think they wanted to keep themselves to themselves. It’s tragic to hear about what happened, especially seeing as it has involved a child so young.”
Another added: “The family hadn’t lived here for very long. It’s awful to hear about something like this happening in your community. The death of a child so young is just awful.”
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