Police have released a statement confirming that a body found on Friday is that of missing school girl Tia Sharp.

It is believed detectives are investigating the possibility that the 12-year-old was smothered before being placed in a bag and hidden in the loft of her grandmother’s home in The Lindens, New Addington.

She was discovered by police on Friday, August 10.

A police spokesman said: "Although a body found at 20 The Lindens on Friday 10 August is yet to be formally identified, we believe it is the body of Tia Sharp."

A post mortem is expected to resume on Thursday, August 16.


Stuart Hazell, 37 and the partner of Tia's grandmother, has been charged with her murder and will appear via video link at the Old Bailey tomorrow morning.