Devastated mum of 'murdered' girl, 6, 'wasn't aware of any danger' to daughter
Devastated mum of 'murdered' girl, 6, 'wasn't aware of any danger' to daughter
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A heartbroken mum whose six-year-old daughter was found dead in a property with her father says she was not aware of any danger the youngster may have been in - after police said they believe she was murdered. Margaret Cairns, from Livingston, Scotland, says she would never have let her daughter Hope stay with her dad if she knew she would come to any harm. The six-year-old and her father Mark Gordon, 36, were both discovered dead in a property on Harburn Road, West Lothian, on Monday, January 20, after alarm bells were raised when the youngster failed to attend school.
The call triggered a large emergency services response, with police later saying they believe Hope's death to be murder while Mark's is being treating as unexplained. Mum Margaret is now being supported by her close pal Melanie Wheeldon, 44, who launched a fundraiser to help contribute towards Hope's funeral when the time comes.
Melanie said: "There was nothing that happened in the lead up to this that could have sparked anything in Mark and there were no hints at all that he was a violent man. They had shared custody of Hope but if Margaret had any idea that her daughter was in any sort of danger then she would not have been allowed to go there to stay with Mark. Nobody can believe Hope is dead.
"We had no idea Mark was capable of anything like this. I have known Margaret a very long time but have never known her to be so upset, she is really struggling to cope with all of this and is at her lowest point. How do get over your daughter being murdered? Margaret is being as strong as possible but having to see Mark's face plastered all over the news is so upsetting for her.
