Man quizzed over Megan-Leigh murder (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Man quizzed over Megan-Leigh murder

10:36am Sunday 10th June 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Detectives investigating the murder of a "beautiful" teenage girl are continuing to question a 19-year-old man.

The 15-year-old, named locally as Megan-Leigh Peat, was killed at a house in Bedfordshire in the early hours of Saturday.

Police said officers attended the property after receiving a report that she had been fatally injured, but would not comment on neighbours' claims that she was stabbed to death at a house party.

A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said a post-mortem examination will take place later. Police said a murder investigation was launched after a woman died from "serious injuries".

Officers found the body at a property in Ailesbury Road, Ampthill, at around 1.30am after receiving a report that a woman had been fatally injured. Scenes of crime officers started a full forensic examination of the semi-detached house and the surrounding area.

Megan-Leigh's friends paid tribute to her on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. A Twitter user named Mrs Simmons wrote: "Horrible waste of a beautiful life, may justice be served whoever caused this. RIP," while Annie Austin tweeted: "You were taken from us far too young ... always in my heart beautiful." Other friends described the teenager as a lovely girl who would "never be forgotten".

School friends who laid flowers and a photograph at the police cordon described the teenager as a "party girl" and "the hero of the school".

Chelsie McAneny, 16, said she shared learning support lessons with Megan-Leigh at Harlington Upper School. She said: "Everyone loved her, she was bubbly and popular and she stuck up for everyone, even when she was down. She was a party girl, she loved it. You could hear her a mile away. Everyone would say she was a good friend. She has been through a lot, which is not for me to go into, but she was proper strong."

Another friend added: "Megan was the hero of the school, she was beautiful and she was always so supportive. The teachers loved her." The friends said Megan-Leigh had a 19-year-old boyfriend she had been with "on and off" for two years.

Confirming the identity of the murdered teenager, a police spokeswoman said: "Detectives investigating the death of a female in Ampthill believe it to be Megan-Leigh Peat, 15, from Westoning. The victim has not yet been formally identified. A man arrested on suspicion of murder, and is known to the victim, remains in custody." Anyone with any information is urged to contact the police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.