Cops issue ‘deeply upsetting’ update after girl, 6, killed by dad in murder-suicide
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THE death of six-year-old girl is being treated as murder, cops have confirmed tonight. The bodies of dad Mark Gordon, 36, and Hope were found on Monday inside a family home in West Calder. Cops confirm following a post-mortem examination that Hope's death is being treated as murder.
![[Close-up photo of Mark Gordon.]](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/77128261-pix-mark-gordon-found-965768888.jpg?strip=all&w=541)
Mark Gordon's death is to be treated as unexplained but detectives say there is nothing to suggest anyone else is involved. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "The death of a six-year-old girl in West Calder is being treated as murder. "On Monday, 20 January, 2025, officers attended at a property in Harburn Drive, following a report of concern for a person, and the bodies of a 36-year-old man and a girl were found within.
![[Photo of Hope Gordon.]](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/family-handout-pa-wire-note-965811665_e841c7.jpg?strip=all&w=720)
"Following a post mortem examination, police can now confirm the girl’s death is being treated as murder. "The man’s death continues to be treated as unexplained, pending a post mortem examination which will take place in due course.". The tragic schoolgirl was yesterday described by her teachers as "bright, bubbly and affectionate".
We told previously how staff at Toronto Primary in Livingston raised the alarm after the child, who split her time between both parents, failed to show up to class on Monday morning. A worried relative went to chef Mark's home in West Calder, West Lothian, but did not get an answer.
![[Police officer at a crime scene.]](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/2025-police-property-harburn-drive-965544481_c5b1d7.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
They contacted police, who made the horrific discovery after fire crews forced entry at around 4pm. Fiona Linfoot, headteacher at Hope's school, said: "Hope was a much-loved member of the Toronto Primary family and will be hugely missed by all her friends and staff. She was a bright, bubbly and affectionate girl who brought joy to everyone she met.
