A girl found dead at a home inside a picturesque village lived with her mother and sibling, neighbours have said.
A murder probe was launched after officers were called to the property on Middle Street, in Islip, north Oxfordshire, on Tuesday.
A police cordon remained in place today and a forensic tent was also set up. Officers are yet to release the girl’s age.
One villager, who has lived in the ‘close-knit’ community for 25 years, said the family was renting the property at the time of the tragedy.
They described them as a ‘busy young family’ consisting of a mother and her two children.
The woman said: ‘It’s terribly sad – I can’t imagine what on earth must have happened. It was terrible for the neighbours who knew them very well.
‘They were a busy young family always working and I don’t think they’ve been here for even a year. It was a mother and two children as long as I knew.’
The local added: ‘This is something that never happens in this village. Very shocking a sad and totally out of the blue.’
Police cordon at a house in Islip, north Oxfordshire, on Tuesday after a girl was found dead
Police and forensics at the scene in Islip today after the girl’s death on Tuesday
Local councillors Gemma Coton, Alisa Russell and Julian Nedelcu shared a joint statement in which they said they would do ‘all we can to offer support’.
‘This is heartbreaking news for the residents of the village, and our thoughts go out to those affected by this tragedy,’ they said.
County councillor Laura Gordon echoed the comments of her fellow Liberal Democrats.
‘I will be keeping the family,’ she said, ‘and all those affected in my thoughts and offering any support needed to the community’.
The chair of the parish council, Dennis Price, said he saw multiple police cars, as well as an ambulance and van.
Of the impacted family, he said: ‘I think they have only been there a short time.
‘We are a very peaceful community, and we do not expect this sort of thing.
‘The only time we saw as many official vehicles was when J.D. Vance [US Vice President] came through.’
The girl’s body was found at an address on Middle Street in Islip (pictured) on Tuesday
Residents on Middle Street were all shocked about the investigation, saying that nothing like this had ever happened before in the village, known for being the birthplace of Anglo-Saxon King Edward the Confessor.
One woman, who lives across the street from where the tragedy happened, said this is the first time something this scale has taken place in the village she’s been living in for more than 50 years.
The woman said she knew nothing about the case and doesn’t know who the people involved are.
‘All I saw were many police cars on the day and the police came here to reassure me everything was ok,’ she said.
‘I heard nothing and was surprised about what’s happening.’
The representative for Bicester and Woodstock said: ‘Islip is a close-knit village, and a sense of shock will be felt profoundly as people come to terms with what has happened.’
He added: ‘It is essential that the police are allowed the necessary space to carry out their investigation thoroughly.’
Thames Valley Police are continuing their investigation into the death of a girl in the Cotswold village
A tribute at the local St Nicholas Church reads: ‘Our prayers are with all those involved or affected by the tragedy in Middle Street.
‘And a reminder that the church is open all day for anyone who might wish to pause to reflect/ seek solace/ pray with others in the community.’
Yesterday morning, a heavy police presence remained at the scene and a cordon was put in place at the property. A forensic tent has also been set up.
In a statement, the force said yesterday: ‘Thames Valley Police has launched a homicide investigation following the death of a girl at an address in Middle Street, Islip.
‘The girl’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
‘A crime scene is in place at the address and there will be an increased police presence in the area while we investigate.’
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Sally Spencer added: ‘Firstly, I would like to share our condolences with the family of the girl who very sadly has died today.
‘We have launched a homicide investigation, but we are still in the early stages and will provide more details as soon as we are able to.
‘We understand this investigation will be concerning for the community, but we believe this incident to be contained and are not aware of any threat to the wider public at this time.
‘Anyone with information about the death or has footage from Middle Street today should call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43250537456.’
