UK & World News
- 4 February 2013, 7:32
Blackpool Murder: Burning Body Found In Alley
Two people have been arrested after the body of a 16-year-old girl was found burning in an alley in Blackpool.
Police have cordoned off the alley off Kirby Road, South Shore where the body was found and specialist forensic officers are searching a nearby hotel.
A 22-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman were arrested nearby and are now being questioned by police.
Lancashire Police said the victim was believed to be Sasha Marsden, a student at Blackpool and Fylde College who lived in the Staining area with her parents.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Andy Murphy from the Force Major Investigation Team said: "This is an incredibly difficult and complex enquiry and we are working to try and build up a picture of what happened.
"From examining the body, it appears to us that someone has attempted to set fire to Sasha and this is a line of enquiry that we are looking into.
"This is an incredibly difficult time for the family and we are keeping them informed of our investigation. Our officers will be supporting them as they attempt to come to terms with what has happened."
A port mortem is planned for Friday evening.
Carl Evans, owner of the Kimber Guest House told Sky News he spotted the fire when he walked out into his back garden on Thursday evening.
"I heard the alarms going and saw the smoke, but I thought it was just someone burning rubbish," he said.
He added that some residents had attempted to put out the flames before realising it was a body on fire.
"The lass two doors up said someone seemed to have put something out - like a mannequin - but it turned out to be the body of a 16-year-old girl."
Friends paid tribute to the victim on a Facebook page called RIP Sasha Marsden.
Jordan Silkstone wrote: "Way too young, what this town coming too.. R.I.p huni x."
Emma James wrote: "R.I.P Sasha. I didn't know you very long but you was such a good mate.
"I will miss our little facebook chats. You always knew how to cheer me up when I was down. I hope the people who did this to you get what they deserve. Miss you always beautiful. Xxx."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Major Incident Room at Blackpool on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Update:
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what do you think?
marc H
what a sad sick world we live in. R.I.P. little lady
Name witheld
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
michael porter
15 months?? What planet are you from??
Juliet Williams
What a stupid thing to say... and this country has not been a christian country for many years, more like a lawless society and a government that cares more about money hence the crazy justice system with sentences that don't match the crime!!!!
barbara
I think Pitcroft was being ironic!
Louisa Gieldon
People it's Christos - he's back in another, equally silly, guise!
david
i give up every day people are being murdered,,and this will be AGAIN done by people who are drug addicts...WHEN AS A COUNTRY WILL WE STAND UP AND SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.. to show joe public how easy it is ..i could go out today grab hold of the nearest junkie,,make him tell you where he gets his stuff from ..people have to understand your local junkie is 3 or 4 dealers away from the top of the tree...now if we as a country gave the S.A.S. a free hand to do what they wanted i say 2 months and every big dealer would be in jail....but 1 thing wrong with this is (HUMAN RIGHTS)
Sara Broughton
How incredibly presumptuous. You clearly have some personal vendetta against drug users but I hardly think the comments section on a story of a young girls death is the right place to be airing it with absolutely no indication from the story that a drug addict was to blame.
El Bubsio
Oh dear David. I can only assume that it's great living in that fantasy world with harry callahan and John mcclane where everything is absolutely black and white. What would be more likely to happen in your little fantasy is that drug dealers would start to arm themselves more and you'd end up with massive shootouts in the streets with God knows jow many innocent bystanders getting shot in the process. There's a reason the majority of police in this country don't want to be armed.
Louisa Gieldon
David Why on earth are you assuming that this was a drug related death? I agree that to hi jack a tragedy to provide a soap box for your rather basic and gung ho opinions on thr international drug scene, is shady and low.
Diane Rogers
Poor young lady. I agree with David some junkies after money set fire to her trying to cover up evidence. But it won't be their fault will it
Louisa Gieldon
You and David must be sharing the same crystal ball Diane.
ali baba
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
ali baba
David Taliban are evil. But remember they stopped the flow of opium. Since American and Englands war on terror the production is back on. The top of the chain technically is America and English governments, can't see the SAS taking them out.
anonymous anonymous
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Brian Quinn
If they catch whoever was responsible the Defence Solicitor will make a successful case for Spontaneous Combustion and costs awarded for wrongful arrest.
blue side
What a barbaric crime - when I read this I am ashamed to be British we have degenerated not moved on - hope the guilty ones get LIFE and I mean LIFE (and thats too good for them). RIP little one
Neil Foster
How many more times must we R I P ?
stevie may
9:25am on 2/2/2013
This country gets more like America every day. RIP.