Police confirm body found in hunt for Bobbi-Anne McLeod, 18, is missing teenager

Police confirm body found in hunt for Bobbi-Anne McLeod, 18, is missing teenager after indie rock band guitarist, 24, appeared in court charged with her murder

  • Police confirm body found in hunt for Bobbi-Anne McLeod is the teenager
  • The 18-year-old last seen waiting at a bus stop near Plymouth home last week
  • Her body was found eight miles away in Bovisand, Devon a few days later
  • Indie rock musician Cody Ackland, 24, has been charged with murder 


A body found close to where Bobbi-Anne McLeod disappeared last week has been identified as the teenager, police have confirmed.

The 18-year-old was last seen waiting at a bus stop near her home in Plymouth on November 20 as she made her way into town.  

Her body was tragically found three days later close to the beach at Bovisand, about seven miles from where she was last seen.

In a statement today, Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that they had found Bobbi-Anne’s body on November 23 following formal identification. Her family have been informed, the force added. 

Indie rock musician Cody Ackland, who police believe was not known to the teenager, has been charged with murder. The 24-year-old appeared at Truro Crown Court yesterday and was remanded into custody ahead of a hearing in January. 

Hundreds of people had gathered by the spot Bobbi-Anne was last seen to hold an emotional candlelit vigil in her memory. 

A bank of flowers dotted with candles has been laid by local residents over the past few days, while her heartbroken mother Donna McLeod told the crowd: ‘Thank you for doing everything to try and find her and bring our baby home.’  

A body found close to where Bobbi-Anne McLeod disappeared last week is the teenager, police have confirmed 

The 18-year-old was last seen waiting at a bus stop near her home in Plymouth on November 20 as she made her way into town. Her body was tragically found eight miles away in Bovisand, Devon a few days later

The 18-year-old was last seen waiting at a bus stop near her home in Plymouth on November 20 as she made her way into town. Her body was tragically found eight miles away in Bovisand, Devon a few days later

Cody Ackland pictured leaving Plymouth Magistrates' Court last week

Cody Ackland pictured leaving Plymouth Magistrates’ Court last week

Police carry out a search of the hill behind Sheepstor Road bus stop on November 25, 2021

Police carry out a search of the hill behind Sheepstor Road bus stop on November 25, 2021

A member of the public leaves flowers near the bus stop where Bobbi-Anne was last seen  alive

A member of the public leaves flowers near the bus stop where Bobbi-Anne was last seen  alive

The 18-year-old was last seen waiting at a bus stop near her home in Plymouth on November 20 as she made her way into town. Her body was found eight miles away in Bovisand, Devon

The 18-year-old was last seen waiting at a bus stop near her home in Plymouth on November 20 as she made her way into town. Her body was found eight miles away in Bovisand, Devon

A Devon and Cornwall Police statement said: ‘Formal identification has now ben completed and it has been confirmed that the body located in Bovisand on November 23 is that of 18-year-old Bobbi-Anne McLeod.

‘Her family have been informed of this update. They have asked for their privacy to be respected at this time.’

During the short hearing at Truro Crown Court yesterday, Ackland, dressed in a prison-issue yellow and green jumpsuit, spoke only to confirm his name. No application was made for bail and Ackland, of Plymouth, was remanded to appear next at Plymouth Crown Court for a pre trial hearing on January 24. 

Judge Robert Linford also issued a warning to people to avoid speculation in the case. He said: ‘It is deeply hurtful to the family and others connected to this case. 

‘I ask please that people allow justice to take its course and refrain from posting or publishing material about the case which is not based upon evidence to be revealed in court. To do otherwise may impede or obstruct the course of justice and may cause hurt to the family. 

A man lights candles on the ground in the shape of a heart near to where the teenager disappeared

A man lights candles on the ground in the shape of a heart near to where the teenager disappeared 

Family, friends and members of the public gather by Sheepstor Road bus stop for a candlelit vigil in tribute to Bobbi-Anne

Family, friends and members of the public gather by Sheepstor Road bus stop for a candlelit vigil in tribute to Bobbi-Anne 

The force said there was 'no known link' between Bobbi-Anne (pictured in a social media photo) and the suspect

The force said there was ‘no known link’ between Bobbi-Anne (pictured in a social media photo) and the suspect

Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Leaper said investigators were not seeking anyone else in connection with her murder

Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Leaper said investigators were not seeking anyone else in connection with her murder 

Ackland appeared at Plymouth Magistrates' Court covered in a blanket, as he was guided by police officers

Ackland appeared at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court covered in a blanket, as he was guided by police officers

‘A similar plea made by the police has been substantially ignored and it should not have been.’

Bobbi-Anne lived in a three-bedroom terrace house on a 1970s housing estate in the Leigham area of Plymouth, which is made up of a mix of council and private homes. 

She attended Leigham Primary School and then Tor Bridge High School and was not believed to be working at the time of her death.

Ackland was the lead guitarist in Plymouth-based indy band Rakuda, who released their first EP in August this year. 

The remaining Rakuda band members announced on Friday they would be disbanding ‘with immediate effect’.  

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk