Teenager Shona Gillan’s death ‘not suspicious’: PSNI

Shona’s body was recovered from the Six Mile Water, close to Riverside, in Antrim on Saturday.

She was reported missing on Saturday morning but had not been seen since Wednesday (March 3) when she left her home in the vicinity of Valiant Court, Antrim.

Inspector Julian Buchanan is urging anyone who believes they saw the teenager at any time between Wednesday and Saturday to get in touch with police.

Inspector Buchanan said: “As part of our investigation into the circumstances of her death we are keen to establish when and where Shona may have entered the water and to give her family those answers.

“This is obviously a deeply upsetting and distressing time for Shona’s family and loved ones, and I am appealing for anyone who saw or spoke to Shona in recent days, or who can provide information to police to please call us on 101, quoting reference 1122 06/03/21.”

DUP MP Paul Girvan said: “The entire community of Antrim is in shock and mourning following the discovery of Shona’s body at the weekend. My thoughts and prayers are with Shona’s family at this tragically difficult time.

“The loss of someone so young is truly heart-breaking. The entire community now stands with the family as the PSNI carryout their investigations.”

Antrim SDLP councillor Roisin Lynch said the loss of a young woman who “had so much to give” is a “terrible tragedy”.

Ms Lynch said: “Shona went missing last Wednesday and it’s so important for anyone who saw her over the last few days to come forward to police with that information.

“We need to know what happened to Shona, where she was and when she may have entered the water. I would appeal to anyone with any information to come forward.”

Among a number of expressions of sympathy on Facebook, one friend told Shona’s brother Brendan: “I am so so sorry to hear about Shona. God bless all your family.”