Domestic Goddess
26-08-05, 03:33 PM
'RORY ALIVE FOR TWO DAYS'
Murdered 11-year-old Rory Blackhall was still alive two days after he disappeared, Sky News has learned.
The schoolboy was last seen when his mother dropped him off at school in Livingston on Thursday, August 18.
His body was found hidden in woods on Sunday.
Sky reporter James Matthews said sources close to the investigation had confirmed Rory had died around 24 hours before his body was found.
This means he was alive for two days after not turning up to Meldrum Primary in Livingston.
His disappearance did not become apparent for seven hours, when his grandfather arrived to collect him at the end of the school day.
The tragedy has highlighted the fact that schools in Scotland do not have a policy of automatically contacting parents if their children fail to attend.
A post-mortem examination showed the schoolboy had been asphyxiated.
Police searching for his killer have issued an appeal for help in tracing five people who may be vital witnesses.
This includes two men described as "vagrant types" who were seen walking 100 yards south of the underpass on Nellburn Path on Thursday.
In other developments:
:: Some 160 questionnaires completed by members of the public are now being studied by police.
:: Letters from the police are being handed out to 10,000 pupils in Livingston, reassuring them that high-visibility patrols are in place.
:: A new poster appealing for information is being circulated, displaying a picture of Rory taken in school uniform in April.
Murdered 11-year-old Rory Blackhall was still alive two days after he disappeared, Sky News has learned.
The schoolboy was last seen when his mother dropped him off at school in Livingston on Thursday, August 18.
His body was found hidden in woods on Sunday.
Sky reporter James Matthews said sources close to the investigation had confirmed Rory had died around 24 hours before his body was found.
This means he was alive for two days after not turning up to Meldrum Primary in Livingston.
His disappearance did not become apparent for seven hours, when his grandfather arrived to collect him at the end of the school day.
The tragedy has highlighted the fact that schools in Scotland do not have a policy of automatically contacting parents if their children fail to attend.
A post-mortem examination showed the schoolboy had been asphyxiated.
Police searching for his killer have issued an appeal for help in tracing five people who may be vital witnesses.
This includes two men described as "vagrant types" who were seen walking 100 yards south of the underpass on Nellburn Path on Thursday.
In other developments:
:: Some 160 questionnaires completed by members of the public are now being studied by police.
:: Letters from the police are being handed out to 10,000 pupils in Livingston, reassuring them that high-visibility patrols are in place.
:: A new poster appealing for information is being circulated, displaying a picture of Rory taken in school uniform in April.