First pics of dad and daughter, 6, found dead in West Calder as family reveal ‘devastation’

A DAD and his young daughter who died in a double tragedy have been named.

Mark Gordon, 36, and Hope, six, were found yesterday inside a family home in West Calder.

The horrific discovery was made after fire crews forced the door in.

One stunned local said: "To think that something horrible has happened here is just so sad."

Cops swooped on a house in the former mining community in West Lothian at 4pm on Monday after a "report of concern for a person inside".

Firefighters burst open the door before the youngster and man were found.

The alarm was raised by the young girl's family after she failed to show to up school promoting cops to investigate.

Paying tribute to Hope, Toronto Primary School Headteacher Fiona Linfoot 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.”

Chief Superintendant Gregg Banks said: "Police Scotland responded to a 'concern for' call on Monday 20 January.

"That call related to concern from a family around a child failing to attend school.

"This led our officers to conduct enquiries to identify the child's whereabouts and ultimately resulted in them attending the property in West Calder.

"We were unable to gain entry to the property and assistance was provided by colleagues at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to force entry and tragically the bodies of an adult male aged 36 and a young female aged 6 years of age were discovered in the property."

He continued: "The police are aware of the family, we've engaged with them at various points, but there is nothing connected to this incident that causes any concern."

When pressed to explain further, he added: "Well, family would come into contact with the police for a whole variety of reasons and to other agencies as well.

"So, we know who the individuals are that come into contact, but [as I said], nothing connected to this incident and nothing that causes any concern relating to this incident."

Detective Chief Inspector Bob Williamson, of the Major Investigation Team, added: "Our thoughts remain with the man and girl's 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."

As a police probe continued into the "unexplained" deaths, forensics teams in white suits were last night seen entering a blue incident tent in the property's garden.

Uniformed officers stood guard at a cordon as detectives went door-to-door speaking to residents.

One neighbour told The Scottish Sun: "It's unspeakable. I would sometimes see the wee girl outside in the garden.

"She was such a lovely wee thing. We're tight-knit here but no one really knew them."

Some locals claimed the pair had lived at the flat for around a year.

And retired lollipop lady Isabel Girdwood, 91, said she spotted two women at the door just hours before the bodies were found.

Describing both as in their twenties, she added: "They knocked on the door and got no answer.

"Then they walked up into the car park and there was a woman sitting in a car. The man who lived there was very quiet.

"I heard he was separated from his wife but he had the wee lassie.

"He never mixed with anybody. It's tragic."

Shaken parents yesterday walked past the police cordon as they collected pupils from nearby Parkhead Primary School.

Post-mortems are set to be carried out.

Labour councillor Colin Meek revealed the girl was not a Parkhead Primary pupil. He said: "There is no link to the school."

Justice Secretary Angela Constance, the area's MSP, said: "This is devastating news.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the deceased's family and friends."

And Gregor Poynton, the Labour MP for Livingston constituency, said yesterday: "I was sorry to learn about the tragic deaths in West Calder. My thoughts are with all those affected."