Tragic schoolgirl Mhari O’Neill, 15, found dead on park bench in Edinburgh after she went ‘drinking with pal’
Cops believe the teen may have fallen asleep on a park bench and died of hypothermia
A TEENAGER fell asleep on a park bench and froze to death after boozing with a pal, cops fear.
Mhari O’Neill, 15, is thought to have been left by the friend on Calton Hill, Edinburgh at 11pm.
She was found dead there by a passer-by at 6.30am the next day.
Detectives said the drink theory was a “definite line of inquiry”.
Mhari’s family as they told of their heartbreak.
Shattered mum Donna, 50, and dad Matthew, 56, described how the teen’s death will have a “profound effect” on everyone who knew her.
And her headteacher said friends and staff at school will miss the bubbly pupil’s “ready smile”.
In a poignant statement issued through police, her parents, said: “Mhari was considering applying to university and one of her main passions was music; she loved going to gigs.
“What we need is to find out exactly what happened to Mhari and we want anyone who thinks they may have information to get in touch with the police."
The discovery of Mhari by a passer-by on the hill sparked a huge probe.
Donna and Matthew had reported her missing early on Saturday when she failed to come home.
It emerged she met a pal at Waverley train station on Friday afternoon and the pair went up the landmark hill, where it is understood they were drinking.
The friend is said to have gone home around 11pm on Friday night, as the temperature fell to 6°C (42°F) with wind chill making it feel freezing.
Detective Inspector Susan Balfour of the Major Investigation Team said it was a “definite hypothesis” that Mhari had fallen asleep and died of hypothermia.
She said: “It is a definite line of inquiry that they were drinking but we are waiting for toxicology reports to come back.
“This can take a number of weeks but we are trying to rush through the results we want which will give us the clearest picture.
“We have to be vigilant that we’ve covered everything to provide clarity to Mhari’s mum and dad.”
Flowers were left at a bench near where Mhari was found.
Her pals at Portobello High School have been offered counselling in the wake of the tragedy.
Headteacher Ruth McKay said: “Everyone at the school is deeply saddened and shocked to hear about Mhari’s sudden death.
“The Portobello school community is very close and our thoughts are with her family. Mhari was a lovely, friendly girl who was well-liked by staff and young people. Her bubbly, outgoing nature and ready smile will be much-missed in school.
“We have ensured that young people and staff are offered all the support they need at this sad time.”
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Cops appealed for anyone who saw Mhari between Friday and Saturday morning to come forward.
DI Balfour said: “Mhari’s death is unexplained and her movements for a number of hours before her body was found are unaccounted for.
“We are committed to providing Mhari’s family with as much information in relation to her death as possible and anyone who can assist with our ongoing inquiry is urged to come forward.”
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