THE body of missing teenager Gaia Pope was likely to have been in undergrowth on a Swanage clifftop for around ten days before being found, an inquest has heard.
The inquest of 19-year-old Gaia Pope, who went missing in Swanage on November 7, 2017, before being found 11 days later on a clifftop between Dancing Ledge and Anvil Point, continued at Bournemouth Town Hall on Wednesday.
READ MORE: Family describe Gaia Pope as a 'force of nature' as inquest continues
An 11-person jury at the inquest were shown a short video produced by Ms Pope’s family, describing her as a “force of nature”.
Ms Pope’s twin sister Maya Pope-Sutherland said: “Gaia loved her family and her home deeply.
“She was happiest out in the Purbeck nature her grandparents introduced her to, inspired by its beauty and wildlife to create art.
“Or, of course, cuddling up with her beloved cat Bella, a rescue prone to scratching others but who let Gaia cradle her like a baby.
Her mum, Kim Pope, added: “Gaia was a force of nature and fiercely loyal to those she loved.
“Despite being bullied herself at school, or perhaps because of this, she was always ready to stand up for those who needed it.
“She was a shoulder to cry on and a friend to be relied on.
“With Gaia around, there was never a dull moment - or a quiet one. She had a joyful nature, a ready and radiant smile and filled our lives with song and laughter.”
The jurors were also told by research entomologist Martin Hall it was likely Ms Pope died between November 7 and November 9.
By studying blow fly larvae from Ms Pope’s body, Mr Hall was able to create a time frame for when the eggs were laid.
Mr Hall confirmed, on the balance of probabilities, based on the laying of the eggs, the last time Ms Pope would have been alive was between 4pm on November 7 and dusk on November 9.
The witness said she may have even died closer to November 7, as pictures provided to him from the post-mortem showed larvae in their third ageing phase.
The inquest continues.
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