POLICE in Devon last night began a murder hunt after the search for a
missing woman from Stevenston, Ayrshire, ended with the discovery of her
body near the cliff-top path where she was last seen.
Sixty detectives have been drafted into the harbour town of Salcombe,
South Devon, amid fears that the killer may escape among the thousands
of holidaymakers in the area.
Miss Sandra Parkinson, 22, of Limekiln Road, Stevenston, disappeared
after leaving the Grafton Heights Hotel in Salcombe at lunchtime on
Wednesday. She worked there as a waitress and had set off for a walk
around cliffs near Bolt Head and the National Trust Gardens at
Sharpitor.
She was the youngest of the Parkinson family. She had five brothers
and a sister. Their father died in an accident at work four years ago.
Her body was found almost 24 hours after she went missing by one of 55
members of the Dartmoor Rescue Group called in by police. It was
discovered in dense woodland near the coastal path. Police refused to
say if she was still dressed in black cycling shorts and a black T-shirt
which she was wearing when last seen.
Family members in Ayrshire last night spoke with pride of the
independent young woman who had left just weeks ago to work on the south
coast.
Her mother Sarah, 61, said: ''She was an independent type who liked to
travel and seek work away from home. This was the second summer she had
worked at this hotel in Devon.''
Sitting with Miss Parkinson's pet labrador Duke at her side, Mrs
Parkinson added: ''She came back home just a few weeks ago after a trip
down there with Duke and she seemed so happy. She was planning to spend
the summer season down there then return to look for work in Scotland or
perhaps move on again.''
Mrs Parkinson added: ''Sandra worked hard in the hotel bar and also as
a waitress. She was mad keen on the outdoors in her spare time. She was
an enthusiastic walker and was formerly in the Auchenharvie Academy
hillwalking club. She also tried parachuting and took part in
fund-raising events for Mencap and other charities.
''Her ambition was to get qualifications in bar management and perhaps
work on ocean liners.''
Miss Parkinson's elder sister, Mrs Sally Bone, 26, said: ''We knew
that she had gone out with a couple of fellows but there did not seem to
be anything serious and we certainly never saw an engagement ring
appearing on the finger.''
Detective Superintendent Phil Pyke, who is leading the murder inquiry,
said: ''At 12.30pm while conducting a search a member of the Dartmoor
Rescue Group found a body of what would appear to be a young woman. The
circumstances in which the body was found have led us to believe the
death was suspicious.
''We have brought in 60 officers because at this time the district is
full of tourists. It is a holiday area and there is a tremendous
turnaround of people caravanning or staying in the area.
''As we move towards the weekend people will be ending their holidays
and going home. It is vital that everyone gives us assistance. In
particular we want to speak to anyone who used the coastal path between
Bolt head and Salcombe between 10am and the early evening.''
Mr Pyke said police were still investigating a sighting of a woman
resembling Miss Parkinson with a man on the coastal path at 4pm, but he
emphasised that they had not yet confirmed whether it was her. He also
refused to give any details about the cause of death or whether any
weapon was used.
The area around the body has been cordoned off and forensic
examinations are being carried out at the scene.
