Amber Peat: Police confirm body found near family home is that of missing schoolgirl

The schoolgirl went missing after a minor family row

Amber Peat went missing on 30 May (Nottinghamshire Police)

A body found by police searching for missing 13-year-old Amber Peat has been identified as the schoolgirl.

Amber, whose disappearance sparked a large-scale missing person search, died as a result of hanging, Nottinghamshire Police have confirmed.

The schoolgirl went missing from her home in Bosworth Street, Mansfield, at around 5:30pm on Saturday, after she had a minor row with her family.

Over 400 police officers took part in the search to find the teenager. Officers eventually discovered her body in an area off Westfield Lane, Mansfield, on Tuesday, less than a mile from her family home.

Nottinghamshire Police have said her body was out of sight and would not have been apparent to anyone in the area nearby, after locals expressed their surprise that Amber was not seen in a spot so close to a residential area.

Superintendent Matthew McFarlane said: “Sadly this was not the outcome that any of us were hoping for.”

Floral tributes, teddies and other mementos now lay in the area where Amber was found.

Amber's mother Kelly and stepfather and Danny said they would always remember Amber for her love of singing and dancing.

In a statement they said: "She was never happier than when reading to her younger sisters and being surrounded by her family.

"We will always be grateful for our last family holiday with our beautiful daughter. We will always miss her."

In thanking those who took part in the search, Mr McFarlane said: "From the moment Amber was reported missing our teams worked tirelessly alongside the community to try and find her."

He added: "Our thoughts are with Amber's family, and we do ask that you please respect their privacy and that of her wider family."

Amber Peat's mother and stepfather, Kelly and Danny, during a press conference as they appealed for help finding her (Sky News/YouTube)

Mike Smith, the principal at the Queen Elizabeth's Academy in Mansfield, where Amber was a Year 8 student paid tribute to the student, calling her as "academically bright"

"Amber has been happy at the academy," he said of the schoolgirl who was a member of the academy choir.

He added that students have been "particularly affected" by the tragic news, and are being supported by staff and trained counsellors.

"This is a close-knit, community academy and everybody is supporting each other at this difficult time," he added.

Additional reporting by PA